One type of summative assessment that receives a lot of publicity is high-stakes standardized testing. We have probably all been in a position, whether in school, or even within our professions, when we were required to take high-stakes standardized tests, the results of which had either positive or negative consequences. For example, a high-stakes standardized test could mean receiving or not receiving a high school diploma, being able to join the military, or being able to practice in the teaching, medical, or legal field.

Some examples of high-stakes testing include:

• ACT      or SAT or GMAT
• State      specific tests
• Measures      of Academic Progress (MAP)
• Praxis
• Armed      Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)

Prepare

Prior to beginning work on this discussion,

• Read      Chapter 10: Standardized Test and High-Stakes Testing in your text.
• Find      an image that reflects your personal views of high-stakes standardized      testing.
• Search      for two peer-reviewed journal articles in the Ashford University Library;      one that supports and one that contradicts your view of high-stakes      standardized testing. Your articles should be no more than five to eight      years old.

Reflect

Consider your experiences that have influenced your views on high-stakes standardized testing. Should high-stakes standardized testing be required to earn a teaching or medical license? Should it be required to be able to join the military?

Write

Complete the following:

• Post      an image that reflects your views of high-stakes standardized testing. Be      sure to cite where you received your image from. Use the Ashford Writing      Center for support with APA formatting. (Links to an external site.) 
• Describe      how this image reflects your views on high-stakes standardized testing by      sharing your experiences with taking these kinds of tests whether in      school or your professional life.
• Summarize      the two articles you found in the Ashford University Library and describe      how these ideas support and contradict your views on high-stakes      standardized testing.
• Select      one of the views of intelligence from Chapter 10.3. Briefly describe the      view and provide your own critique. Do you agree or not agree? Why? How      might the view of intelligence support or contradict the use of high      stakes standardized tests?
• Discuss      whether you think high-stakes standardized testing has a place in      education and the work place. Why or why not? Provide evidence from the      readings to discuss the pros or cons of high-stakes standardized testing.