Write for an Academic Discussion

A professor has posted a question about a topic and students have responded with their thoughts and ideas. Make a contribution to the discussion.
You will have 10 minutes to write.

Your professor is teaching a class on education.

In your response, you should do the following.

• • Express and support your opinion.
• • Make a contribution to the discussion in your own words.

An effective response will contain at least 100 words.

Professor’s question:

Standardized tests, such as national exams for college admission, are a common feature of many education systems. Proponents argue that these tests provide an objective measure of a student's knowledge and allow for fair comparison across different schools. Critics, however, claim they create too much stress and don't accurately reflect a student's true abilities or potential. Do standardized tests do more good than harm in education? Why?

Student response 1:

I think standardized tests are valuable because they provide a fair and consistent way to evaluate students. A grade from one school might mean something different than a grade from another, so these tests create a common standard. Consequently, they help colleges make more objective admission decisions.

Student response 2:

I feel that standardized tests are more harmful. They often measure test-taking skills rather than actual intelligence or creativity. Furthermore, the intense pressure to perform well can cause significant anxiety for students, which negatively impacts both their learning and their mental health.