A few days ago, an Australian friend of mine forwarded an article to my mom's group list-serve about standardized tests in Australia.  What's the big deal?  We have standardized tests here in the US.  She forwarded it because this was the first time Australia was doing National Testing. Needless to say, there's a lot of concern about it.

My earliest memories of childhood testing were sitting for the Iowa Tests in second grade.  I remember being very nervous about them even though I didn't fully understand what they were.  School Matters blogs about similar concerns raised by psychologist Andrew Fuller, "Mr Fuller was concerned that parents being told their child performed below a national standard would be too harsh, and that children would become stressed during the testing."

If Mr. Fuller's analysis is correct, it would suggest that creating stress for an entire nation of students might not be an educationally sound practice. The Age writes, "Research from the United States and England, where tests have taken on "high stakes" status, has produced evidence of overwhelming negative impact on students, teachers and schools."  The Age also writes, "But the three-day program, which begins today, has already proved controversial, with some union teachers refusing to administer the exam and education experts questioning its value."

Of course a little stress and a lot of controversy could be worth it their educational value were high enough.  Unfortunately Schools Without Walls suggests that even that result is unlikely.  "Standardized Tests: Yes, it is important to establish what an educated graduate should look like and be able to do. However, when standardized tests become that criteria, two things happen: People teach to the test, and the tests actually test to the middle rather than to excellence. And, application of knowledge and skills becomes secondary even though such application is really the goal."

If so many people seem against it, why do others feel standardized testing is such a good idea?  World News Australia quotes government officials who provide three justifications.  They argue it helps identify which students need assistance.  It helps identify which schools need assistance.  Finally, it doesn;t increase overall stress because students currently get tested.

"Federal Education Minister Julia Gillard said the results will enable parents and teachers to see how their students perform in key learning areas in relation to the rest of the country.

"It's important for government and it's important to teachers because it obviously shows which schools and which students are in need for additional assistance," Ms Gillard told ABC Radio.

Queensland Education Minister Rod Welford said parents should encourage their children ahead of the tests, which will cover subjects they regularly learn in class.

"The important thing to note is that for students, teachers and schools there will be very little change from the former Queensland testing arrangements," Mr Welford said.

"The main factor that has changed is that students from across the country will sit the same tests at the same time." 

Alex also blogs at Formula Fed and Flexible Parenting