The Stanford 9 test is an assessment test that complies with the cirriculum that should be mastered by students at the end of each school year. It focuses on critical concepts and learning processes, and "it reflects current educational thinking, mirrors the developmental nature of learning, and supports sound instructional practice." (Stanford 9). By administrating the statewide Stanford 9 test, it ensures that all students will be prepared for what's expected of them in the next grade level and it demands higher performance levels among students, teachers, and administrators.
Administering a statewide test at the end of the school year, is the only way that you will know if a student is mastering their basic skills for that grade level. It presents objective questions, testing reading comprehension, math, spelling, and grammar, that are at the most basic level that you must understand in order to be successful in the next grade level. If a student fails the test, that means that they do not have a fundamental grasp of the material that they will need to pass every grade level there is to come. Therefore, it is imperative that students be tested, so those students will not be pushed ahead only to fail in successive grade levels. If a student fails the competence exam in reading, a student will not be promoted because she fails to be able to read at the appropriate level. Without the test, that student might be promoted, and the demands and expectations for her reading competency would increase every year, thus leaving the student at a permanent disadvantage. It also allows for students to see exactly where their academic strengths and weaknesses are, so they can target the exact areas that need the most attention at a later date. This test also teaches students at an early age how to be responsible, how to sit for periods of time and focus. They learn how to perform well in the moment and this is a valuable life's lesson. They In the real world, you are rewarded for what you do, thus this exam will give students an attitude that will pay off in real life: high performance earns rewards. Lastly, preparing for the test increases student's comprehension skills. Students acquire a stock of essential facts and information throughout the year, and in preparing for the test, teachers have to repeat all the information, and that frequent repetition will help students remember it.
Not only do these test help measure a students achievement, they also measure a teachers ability. These tests hold teachers accountable, for what they teach. If a high percentage of a class tests unsuccessfully, the finger would be pointed at the teacher for not teaching them adequately. This is the only way we can make sure teachers are successfully doing the job they are paid to do. It gives teachers credibility if their students perform well, and demands that teachers who aren't take a closer look at their teaching methods. If a high percentage of students fail, there is a reason to doubt the teacher's competence, and the teacher can be reprimanded accordingly
The test comes a set of guidelines teachers can follow if they are poorly prepared. Now matter how incompetent they are; they at least have guidelines for the basis of what a third grader (for example) should know in math, reading, and writing. There is a "strategies for instruction" handbook that have "grade specific materials that implement ciriculum objectives measures by standardized achievement tests" (Stanford 9). They have a cirriculum and they know how much material they have to help kids understand by the end of the year.
This test also promotes statewide equality. All schools in a state will receive the same test, so the students can all be compared based on the same material. This gives government and school administration a basis for making decisions about improving bad schools and rewarding good ones. This test provides a good basis for deciding which schools should receive additional funding or attention. It allows schools to measure themselves against other districts and to hold themselves accountable for their success or failure.
Lastly, this test also helps parents understand where their students are falling behind. The test results are sent to parents, and give them information they might not otherwise know. a parent might now that her chid has trouble reading, but she may know what components of reading he is weakest in. Since the results are objective, the parents cannot argue with them. If all the students pass but one then parent cannot argue that it is the teacher's fault their child isn't learning. Parents must then start getting more involved. Also it helps parents who are considering moving to different cities an idea of how good or bad education is in that district.
Overall this test is a valuable assessment of students achievement. If teachers and school districts are teaching their children their grade level material successfully, then the students will have nothing to worry about. Only when teachers are failing in their job, does this test bring problems. It makes sure that mediocre students do not continue on in their education until they have mastered their grade level fundamentals. And it holds teachers and school districts accountable if their students are ill prepared.