An argument against the use of standardized tests
             Standardized are used extensively in the education system throughout
             the United States. These tests are being used to evaluate the academic
             performance of students, the proficiency of teachers, and the effectiveness
             of schools. The results of these tests indicate tracking, grade promotion,
             and intellectual levels of individual students, as well as how worthy
             certain schools are of receiving funding from the government. Looming
             standardized tests dominate classroom instruction time, and therefore
             pushed subjects deemed "unnecessary", such as physical education, art, and
             music, to the back burner, while teachers focus on tedious exercises and
             drills that may only serve to provide decent test scores, but nothing much
             else. Overall, standardized tests create an environment of inequality in
             our schools, in which students who know how to respond well on tests excel,
             while other students, who may be equally as creative, knowledgeable, and
             sharp, do poorly because they haven't refined their test taking skills.
             Categorizing and labelling students based on scores from standardized tests
             is a dangerous practice, which could have far-reaching and long lasting
             The widespread use of high-stakes standardized testing seen from
             coast to coast in the United States do not seem to benefit anyone in the
             equation. Rayburn (2003) reported of a study conducted by the National
             Research council that investigated the use of standardized test scores for
             high-stake purposes, which included promotion, class placement, and
             graduation. Many people do consider these tests and effective tool for
             monitoring and shaping up public schools. The study found that
             standardized testing can yield some valuable information, but the results
             of these tests are often misunderstood and used improperly.
             According to the study, test scores are su...