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:

In recent years, many educators have debated the role of standardized tests in schools. Proponents argue these tests provide an objective measure of student performance and hold schools accountable for their teaching quality. On the other hand, critics suggest they promote memorization over deep understanding and cause unnecessary stress for students. In your view, do the benefits of standardized testing outweigh their drawbacks? Why or why not?

Student response 1:

I think standardized tests are quite beneficial because they create a fair standard for everyone. It doesn't matter what school you attend; the test is the same, which gives universities a reliable way to compare applicants. For instance, it helps ensure that all students are evaluated on the same criteria.

Student response 2:

I disagree because these tests don't measure creativity or critical thinking, which are very important skills. Students spend so much time preparing for them that they miss out on more meaningful learning experiences. Moreover, the pressure to get a high score can be extremely stressful for many students.