Standardized Testing in Reading

Abstract

It is difficult to extricate standardized reading tests from standardized testing in general. Most tests require some degree of literacy creating a tight link between the two. In any case, standardized testing is often maligned because of the perceived negative impact on the classroom. The genesis of these tests arose from the desire to award people with occupational and educational opportunities based on skill and merit rather than social connections. Testing purposes have evolved from simply assessing a person's ability to include evaluating teaching and school quality. While the effectiveness of these new propositions can be debated, it is clear that standardized reading tests are part of the educational landscape. Educators need to understand the purpose of standardized tests, types available (norm‐ and criterion‐referenced), factors to use when selecting or recommending exams and how to best prepare their students to take them.