While standardized tests consume the K-12 curriculum as well as college entrance requirements, there is still opposition to the implication of these tests. In fact, several colleges across the country do not require college entrance exams for acceptance into the college. Instead, these colleges look to grades, projects, and extra-circular activities to decide which students are best fit for their school. This alternative to standardized testing offers hope that these tests will not be the primary source of academic success in America.
In Alissa Groeninger’s article “Colleges consider dropping SAT/ ACT, University still sees need” she explains ways in which colleges are moving away from standardized testing and moving towards other forms of evolution. In Groeninger’s article she explains that several colleges across the country are looking to grades and extra-curricular activities to determine admission into their colleges. She quotes the assistant director at Worchestor College when he states,
“Students submitted Eagle Scout and science fair projects, among other representations of their capabilities.”
Groeninger reflects on this statement whe she suggests,
“Worchester has a hands-on curriculum, which is why the admissions department is allowing potential students to demonstrate their active learning abilities.”
Overall, colleges nationwide understand the significance of hands on learning and exploration. This is something that a standardized test cannot identify. Therefore colleges are looking at the projects and accomplishment of a student instead of a score on a multiple choice exam.
While Colleges across the county do not require standardized tests for admission, big Universities still give primary focus to these tests. Universities base these test scores on how well a student will do in college. They believe that a test score is an accurate determinant of a student’s intelligence. Therefore, while smaller colleges across the country see a child’s education as more than a test score, the big universities still give primary focus to these tests.
I feel as though small colleges that don’t require standardized test for admissions are on the right track. A student’s knowledge goes beyond a simple test score and I think that by looking at the actual student small colleges are able to see this. Small colleges look at students as individuals instead of a number. They come to know accomplishments, critical thinking abilities, as well as the potential of their applicants. On the other hand, big universities do not attempt to find out important details about a student that go beyond a standardized test. While I support alternative ways of evaluation, I also understand that big universities do not have the time to get to know their students like smaller colleges do. Although this is true, I do not think that standardized tests are the answer to this issue. Instead I think that a medium needs to be reached and universities need to give more emphasis to the other aspects that define a student’s education. If Universities start focusing on the individual instead of a test score than maybe, just maybe the influence of standardized tests will lessen.
Colleges consider dropping SAT/ ACT, University still sees need
By: Alissa Groeninger
20, October, 2008
First of all, I have to say that I love the background and theme for your blog! Very catch. Your article about eliminating standardized entry test for college left me a little leary though. I agree that it should not be the only thing that colleges use to accept students because not everyone does well on tests–myself included–and there are many other issues we could discuss about standardized test for days. But, my main concern is: what are we going to use then? Grades are important, but extra curicular activities are sometimes limited to those who have the time and the money to do them–or who have the parents in that position rather. What about conferences? What about referals from teachers? Is all this required? I guess I am so accustomed to the way things are that I’m struggling to see how things COULD be without these test. What do you think would happen if everyone was accepted and whoever showed up got an equal chance? They’re paying for it, right? I mean, sure you’re gonig to have a lot of first semester drop outs. But you may also gain some students who would not have otherwise scored well enough in grades or standardized tests to make it into colleges. On the other hand, maybe that’s what junior colleges are for–do they still exist?