Analyse Article: The Nature of Current Critique

English Language Assessment: 

Article Topic: More Unintended Consequences of High-Stakes Testing by Gregory J. Cizek

• The Nature of Current Critique

In my opinion, after I read and analyze the article about the nature of current critique in High-Stakes testing. I know that High-stakes testing is one of the most controversial and contentious issues in education today and the technicalities of the debates are both highly complex and continually evolving. In Indonesia Nasional Examination (UN) categorized as High-Stakes test because it determines students pass or fail. Even in the article said that High-Stakes Testing are uniformly bad and some of them opine base on their research that High-Stakes Testing exists many effects.

A short list of the main points made in critiques of High-Stakes testing might begin with the work of researcher are Reduction of time available for ordinary instruction, Neglect of teaching material not covered by tests, Limits on students instructional opportunities, Undesirable effects on teacher morale.

 More recent critiques have raised issues, such as the potential for tests to foster students’ negative attitudes toward tested content or to diminish students’ self-esteem and the possibility that High-Stakes Tests have differential effects by student ethnicity.But, I think High-Stakes Testing also has a good effect and benefit behind it.

Moreover, High-stakes test results can be used to help teachers create a learning plan based on students need to help her in the long run. In the case of High-Stakes Testing, however, subsequent evidence appears to have become even more skimpy in support of conclusions that seem even more confident. Look students test results as a tool for progress, not as a judgment on ability or intelligence. 

Data from statewide testing is almost always publicly available. As a teacher, we can look at these results to see how well, or poorly, our students are performing. Access to this information will help us make more informed decisions about where and how students will get the best education. High stakes exams can cause anxiety, but yearly testing and frequent practice tests can help students improve their test-taking abilities over time. Students can benefit by learning how to handle pressure and to develop the skills and strategies necessary to meet the school's expectations.