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Michael Proctor Mrs. Douglas English 1102-093 13 February 2014 Schooling in America Should schools have standardized test in order to base how well students do in school? Alfie Kohn and Michael Zwaagstra both explain their views on standardized testing in schools. Alfie Kohn wrote how standardized testing hurt students and teachers back in September of 2000. He was reaching out to the adults and teachers, so that they could understand how standardized testing was the wrong way of teaching. He supported his argument through multiple facts and examples. On the other hand Michael Zwaagstra encourages standardized testing. He wrote an article in October of 2011stating how he believed that these tests form an essential component of public education because they provide teachers, parents, and the general public with important information about the students academic performance. (Zwaagstra). He wrote more toward the parents and teacher organizations showing how the people; such as teachers, were misunderstanding the purpose of standardized tests. After researching and reading over both articles, Michael Zwaagstra provided a more clear and precise argument when it came to standardized testing. He provided good examples both from his point of view and from the point of view of the people who opposed testing. He explained why each argument against him was wrong. For instance, one of the most common arguments against standardized tests is that they cause teachers to teach the test. As long as

teachers are following the mandated curriculum, they are already teaching the test. (Zwaagstra). If the teacher is teaching correctly, the test theoretically is being taught throughout the class. Each paragraph expressed how he felt, through examples and explanations. For example he states, Teachers unions and the BCTA are simply wrong in their opposition to standardize testing. (Zwaagstra). Throughout the article there are multiple statements made like this. Michael Zwaagstra strengthened his article by supplying examples and backing up what his belief was. Although teachers unions feel they have good reasons for their opposition to standardized testing, their arguments do not stand up to scrutiny when examined more closely. (Zwaagstra). He was clear in his writing by expressing his opinion in a way most people can comprehend, simple and to the point. He also addressed opposition which enhanced the article as a whole. He did so by using examples where he could explain to us how the people were incorrect about the statement they made. The only thing he could have improved on was giving more background information that would back up his assumptions on how teacher made assignments and standardized testing would create a balanced performance when it came to schooling. On the other hand, Alfie Kohn addressed how standardized testing was unbeneficial. He states that it has swelled and mutated to the point that it now threatens to swallow our school whole. (Kohn). He lists facts and briefly supports them in paragraph form. The way he wrote the article makes it clear on the struggles that standardized testing gives. Fact after fact was listed and explained. He used supporting details in order to back up his claims. This gave the reader a good sense of belief to what he is trying to convey. For example, Fact 7: the time, energy and money that are being devoted to preparing students for standardized tests have to come from somewhere. Schools across the country are cutting or even eliminating programs. (Kohn) he

made a claim, and then backed it up with evidence. Alfie Kohn strength grew from the facts he listed, but at the same time he did not mention the opposition in his article. Doing so, created a bias article. If he was to add in the opposition, he could explain why his opinion is better than someone elses. Regardless of my opinion, Michael Zwaagstra composed a better understanding and explanation on standardized testing. He was able to support his claim while also addressing the opposition of standardized testing being unhelpful and worse for students. He was clear with what he was trying to say, and he was more appealing to his audience than Alfie Kohn was, although Michael Zwaagstra made a better argument. Kohn and Zwaagstra both have something to say about our current culture in America. Our culture has become all about tests. If you do well on your test you do well in school and in finding high paying jobs. Our culture revolves around tests like the SAT and the ACT. Standardized tests determine a majority about what your future will look like, college for one. Without good test scores you are not likely to go to college and in turn not get a well-paid job. This hurts people because some are bad test takers but at the same time are very intelligent, but no employer will see them that way. In each article, it shows how test scores are everything in the American culture, but are they good or are they bad?

Work Cited

Kohn, Alfie. "Standardized Testing and Its Victims." Standardized Testing and Its Victims. 20 Sept. 2000. Web. 08 Feb. 2014. Zwaagstra, Michael. "Standardized Testing In Schools Is A Good Thing." Troy Media. 21 Oct. 2011. Web. 08 Feb. 2014.