Should standardized testing define our profession?

Abstract

Accreditation agencies and organizations calling for higher academic standards in the teaching profession have called for increasing minimum grade point averages and scores on standardized tests. However, it’s not clear that these requirements actually improve teaching. Lisa Borden-King, Warren Gamas, Kathy Hintz, and Chelsie Hultz researched whether teacher candidates’ scores on the Core Academic Skills Tests for Educators or their grade point averages correlated with scores on final student-teaching evaluations. They found no correlation between test scores and GPAs and how well teacher candidates performed as student teachers. They propose that, instead of focusing on standardized tests as admission criteria, teacher education programs should incorporate more clinical practice time, with opportunities for feedback that candidates can use to improve their teaching or decide not to enter the profession.