Standardized Testing in Nevada
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Mathematics
Date
Jan 9, 2024
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docx
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Uploaded by ProfessorWaspPerson1018
Standardized Testing in Nevada
Grade
Name of Test
Subject
K-3
rd
Measures of Academic
Progress (MAP)
Reading and Math
3
rd
– 8
th
Smarter Balanced
Assessments (SBAC)
Math and ELA
5
th
, 8
th
and High School
Measures of Academic
Progress (MAP)
Reading, Math, and Science
11
th
College and Career Readiness
Assessment (ACT)
English and Math
Opt Out:
Across the country parents and students are opting out of standardized testing.
According to Whitaker (2015) of the Las Vegas Sun more than 10% of students opted out of
testing in New York and tens of thousands in New Jersey. In Nevada, however, a very small
number opted out of testing in that same year. Clark and Washoe County, two of the biggest
districts in Nevada, only had about 200 students opt out. Washoe County had about .4% while
Clark County had a total of 75 students opt out. In Carson County no students opted out.
According to Lisa Guisbond (2023) of the Citizens for Public School Campaign group stated
testing is very stressful for students. Opting out is necessary and is a way to protest the overuse
and misuse of standardized tests, according to the campaign. They believe testing eats up
classroom time and instruction, narrows the curriculum, and destroys children’s love for
learning.
My View:
I believe both sides make valid points; however, I feel that overall opting out of
standardized tests is bad for the public school system. I believe these tests really help give an
idea of where students are academically. They are a good assessment tool for the school as a
whole and being able to address schoolwide academic concerns. These assessments allow for the
school to come up with school wide interventions to put in place to help the students excel in
what ever area they are lacking. For example, in Carson City School District reading has been
lacking in all elementary schools in the district, they received this information from the MAP
scores and were able to put a school wide classroom reading intervention in place to assist the
students with reading fluency. The tests are also a great data collection for individual students
who may be struggling and need other services such as special education. I feel the pros of
testing far out weight the cons and opting out should not be an option unless for very specific
medical or psychological concerns.
References
Nevada Department of Education (2023). Nevada Assessments.
https://doe.nv.gov/Assessments/
Whitaker, Ian (2015). Despite Controversy, few Nevada students opt out of common core testing.
Las Vegas Sun Newspaper.
https://lasvegassun.com/news/2015/may/13/common-core-nevada-
standardized-testing/
Guisbond, Lisa (2023). Opting out of Standardized Tests. Citizens for Public Schools Campaign.
https://www.citizensforpublicschools.org/opting-out-of-state-standardized-tests-during-covid/
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