Eliminating Standardized

Testing in Elementary
Schools: A Feasibility
Report
Alicia Auger

Overview
Introduction
Criteria
Methods
Results
Conclusions
Recommendations
Resources

Introduction
No Child Left Behind act (NCLB) of 2001 caused a

major increase in annual state spending on

standardized testing
$423 million increase to $1.1 billion

Standardized tests have many disadvantages to

them
Teachers often receive a raise in their salary in

their students perform well on tests

This causes teaching to the test, or solely focusing

on test material throughout the school year

Introduction Continued
Standardized tests are not fair for English as a

second language, low-income students, or those

with special needs.
Tests are written for native English speakers with

middle income parents

Do not take into account English proficiency
Propose to eliminate standardized testing in

elementary school in Minnesota

Methods
Looked into the contents of NCLB act of 2001
Researched different types of tests required by

students
Researched the amount of government funding

that is allocated for schools each year

Found the amount of ESL students enrolled in

public school
Surveyed 21 students at Hamline University

Criteria
Have any private schools successfully eliminated

standardized testing?
Is there enough demand from students and

parents?
Will teachers and schools benefit from eliminating

standardized testing?
Will the government save money if elimination

happens?
Will ESL and lower income students benefit?

Results
Funding Based on Test Results
68% of survey respondents responded that funding

based on test scores was not fair

Performance ratings are often published publically,
comparing teachers to one another
Teaching to the test results in a lack of creative,
adventurous exploration in the classroom, as well as
boredom
Promotes high stake testing
Attaches testing to recognition, promotion, or

graduation

Results Continued
Timing of Tests
Only 9% of students
Beginning; 10%

Beginning

Both; 48%

End
End; 43%

Both

agreed that tests

should be given in
the beginning of the
year only.
A current third grader
will take nine
standardized tests in
one year
OLPA, MCA, and

MTAS

Results Continued
Testing from K-12

Never

14 out of 21 said to

only administer tests

in high school

High School

Supports eliminating
Middle School

Elementary School

10

12

14

16

tests from
elementary schools
~53 tests will be
taken by a student
throughout their
school career

Results Continued
ESL & Low Income
20

Students

18

ESL students often

16
14
12
No

10

Yes
8
6
4
2
0
Income

ESL

score the lowest,

often because they
dont understand
Low-income schools
suffer from lack of
supplies and teachers
Most survey
respondents agreed
that tests should be
changed for ESL
students to
accommodate them

Conclusions
Research that proves teachers are teaching to the

test in order to receive a pay increase

Massive amounts of government money are spent

on standardized tests on a yearly basis

Questionnaire suggests it would be feasible to

eliminate standardized testing in elementary

schools
Only administer tests in high school at end of year
Too much stress placed on results of tests

Recommendations
Provide a test run with elimination of standardized

tests to a select group of school

Analyze results after one school year

Conduct additional research involving the amount

of money that would be saved or lost

Gather opinions from teachers, parents, as well as

students