Standardized Testing

Since the early 20th century, the United States has been the foremost developer and consumer of testing technology in the world. Tests have been used widely by the U.S. military, government and civilian employers, and educational institutions in an effort to improve selection, placement, and promotion decisions. However, the pervasiveness of testing in American life, starting as early as age 6, has called into question the purported benefits of testing to individuals, led to intense scrutiny of organizational decisions, and raised concerns about the general impact of testing on society. Yet, while some criticisms of testing are certainly justified, standardized tests, which are the most common targets of public rebuke, are among the best assessment devices available and, in our view, do not deserve the ...