Standardized tests have been part of schooling for decades. They are widely used, but many educators worry that they are not fair to every learner. This explainer covers what standardized testing and the opportunity gap are, how testing can widen that gap, and five steps that schools and policymakers can take to make assessment fairer.
On this page 6 sections
Key terms
- Standardized testing: measuring students’ academic performance with the same set of questions and the same grading criteria for everyone. It is used to evaluate student learning, measure teacher effectiveness, and compare how schools perform.
- Opportunity gap: the unequal access to educational resources and opportunities between students from different backgrounds.
Who is affected by the opportunity gap
The opportunity gap is a long-standing problem. Students from low-income families, students of color, and students with disabilities face barriers that make academic success harder, such as:
- inadequate school funding
- lack of access to quality teachers and curriculum
- limited access to technology and other learning resources
- the effects of systemic racism and discrimination, which can hurt educational outcomes
How standardized testing can widen the gap
1. Tests can be biased
Standardized tests are often biased against certain groups of students. Studies have found that the tests are culturally biased, and that students from low-income families and students of color often score lower than their more affluent peers (Reeves, 2008). One reason is that the tests often measure knowledge and skills that are more common in affluent communities.
2. Tests can measure learning inaccurately
Standardized tests usually measure a narrow range of skills. They do not show the full range of students’ abilities and strengths. They also do not account for social and emotional factors, such as stress and anxiety, that affect how a student performs on test day.
3. Tests can narrow the curriculum
When schools focus on teaching what will be tested, students get less exposure to other subjects and areas of study. This hurts most the students who have few chances to learn outside school, such as students from low-income families who may not have access to extracurricular activities.
Five ways to address the opportunity gap
1. Provide access to quality education resources
Many disadvantaged students lack qualified teachers, up-to-date curricula, and technology. Schools and policymakers should work to provide these resources to all students so everyone has an equal chance to succeed.
2. Use multiple measures of student learning
A standardized test should not be the only measure of learning. Schools can also use:
- portfolios
- projects
- performance assessments
These measures should be designed to reflect students’ diverse abilities and strengths.
3. Address bias in standardized tests
Test developers should remove culturally biased questions and make sure the test reflects the diversity of the students who take it.
4. Increase teacher training and professional development
Teachers should be trained to use multiple measures of learning and to recognize bias in standardized tests. Training should also cover strategies for handling the social and emotional factors, like test anxiety, that affect performance.
5. Broaden the curriculum
Schools should offer a wide range of subjects and areas of study, including access to extracurricular activities and other opportunities outside the classroom.
Summary
| Problem with standardized testing | Possible response |
|---|---|
| Unequal access to resources before the test | Provide quality resources to all students |
| Narrow, sometimes inaccurate measure of learning | Use portfolios, projects, and performance assessments too |
| Cultural bias in test items | Remove biased questions; reflect student diversity |
| Teachers not prepared to assess fairly | Train teachers on multiple measures, bias, and test anxiety |
| Teaching to the test | Broaden the curriculum and out-of-class opportunities |
Standardized testing has a real effect on the opportunity gap: it can carry bias, narrow what schools teach, and miss much of what students actually know. By taking the steps above, schools and policymakers can build a fairer system where every student has an equal opportunity to succeed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the opportunity gap in education?
It is the unequal access to educational resources and opportunities between students from different backgrounds, such as students from low-income families, students of color, and students with disabilities.
How can standardized tests be unfair?
They can be culturally biased, measure only a narrow range of skills, ignore stress and anxiety on test day, and push schools to teach only what is tested.
What can schools use besides standardized tests to measure learning?
Schools can use portfolios, projects, and performance assessments, designed to reflect students’ diverse abilities and strengths.
What are the main solutions to the opportunity gap in testing?
Provide quality resources to all students, use multiple measures of learning, remove bias from tests, train teachers, and broaden the curriculum.
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