Is judging a fish by its ability to climb a tree fair? This is the perfect visual representation of the challenges many children face when it comes to standardized testing.

Is it possible to make a single test per grade level that will accurately reflect the academic level of all children? 

No, it is not.

Not every student, especially those in special education, thrives under the uniformity of a single test. Standardized tests often fail to capture each child’s unique learning needs and potential, even with accommodations. 

Standardized tests measure everyone against the same yardstick, neglecting significant individual differences.

Here, we’ll explore why standardized testing doesn’t work for all children, particularly those with learning challenges.

What Is Standardized Testing?

A standardized test is designed to assess students in a consistent manner. The following aspects of standardized tests remain consistent for every participant:

• The format of the questions
• How the test is administered
• The scoring procedure
• Interpretations

The idea is for schools to use these tests to accurately determine where a child is academically by comparing scores across thousands of other children throughout the country.

The only problem is… it doesn’t really work that way. 

While the intention might seem logical, the practice is far from foolproof. Standardized testing presupposes that all students learn and perform under identical conditions. 

For children in special education, this assumption is fundamentally flawed.

Why Standardized Testing Falls Short

Standardized tests are not equipped to address the diversity of abilities and learning styles found in today’s classrooms. 

Special accommodations are often provided to help students succeed. However, these adjustments rarely fix the core issues. 

Below are the top four reasons standardized testing fails many children, as observed by special educators.

1. Testing at an Inappropriate Academic Level

A significant challenge is that students are consistently tested above their academic ability. Imagine a seventh-grader with a fourth-grade reading proficiency being required to take seventh-grade level tests. It’s neither realistic nor reflective of their actual learning.

Children with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are given testing accommodations. However, no accommodations could really help someone understand information that’s three grade levels above their current ability. 

It doesn’t matter, though. They’re still given the same test as children actually at a seventh-grade academic level. 

This mismatch leads to poor test performance, diminishes the child’s confidence, and creates frustration.

2. Inconsistent Testing Accommodations

Many children with IEPs depend on accommodations to level the playing field during tests. These might include:

• Reading the test aloud.
• Additional time for completion.
• Taking the test in a quiet, separate space.

While effective in theory, the reality within overpopulated and understaffed classrooms is different. The likelihood of all accommodations being followed during every single standardized test is close to zero. 

Teachers and staff often struggle to provide consistent accommodations due to high workloads and limited resources. 

This isn’t the teacher’s fault. It’s the direct result of an overwhelmed education system. Without proper implementation, these accommodations lose their effectiveness.

What accommodations exist for test taking?

There are things like: 

• Reading the test aloud to the student
• Frequent breaks
• Taking the test in a separate room

Learn more about testing accommodations in this article. 

3. Comprehension Challenges

Around 80% of the children we have the opportunity to serve in our special education programs deal with comprehension difficulties. That’s why parents seek our help. 

Processing and retaining information is critical for test-taking, but it becomes nearly impossible for many students with these challenges. If a student struggles to process a question correctly, they’re unlikely to formulate an accurate answer. 

Challenges in comprehension lead to the inability to remember what was read by a child or even the information that was read to them. From the time a child hears or reads something to the time they’re asked to remember and regurgitate that information back onto a test, it’s often jumbled up in their minds or lost altogether. 

Comprehension problems often arise from missing foundational pieces in reading and learning earlier on. In these cases, work needs to be done on the foundational aspects of reading.

However, this isn’t something that can be solved within a couple of days leading up to a test. Overcoming these challenges takes time, specialized instruction, and consistent support.

4. Lack of Preparation Time

Every child’s needs are different when it comes to preparing for tests. For some children, this preparation time goes above and beyond simply taking a single test. It often requires going back in time and fixing an area that was never fully absorbed.

Additionally, with everything else on a teacher’s plate, there’s rarely enough time to effectively prepare for these tests, even for those who don’t have a comprehension challenge. 

Teachers are often forced to prioritize test preparation over genuine learning. This takes away the critical focus on long-term skill-building. 

Alternatives to Standardized Testing

Instead of focusing solely on standardized assessments, educators could adopt more inclusive measures of learning such as:

• Individualized Assessments: Tailored evaluations that compare a child’s previous performance to current performance, reflecting their growth over time
• Project-Based Learning: Letting students showcase knowledge in diverse, creative ways
• Frequent, Small-Scale Testing: Shorter assessments spread throughout the year, offering better insight into a child’s progress
• Portfolios: Collecting and reviewing a student’s work over time to gauge progress, creativity, and mastery of skills in a comprehensive way

These approaches minimize stress and ensure that every child’s learning milestones are celebrated.

Supporting Your Child Through Testing Challenges

As a parent, your role in supporting your child through standardized testing can go a long way. Here are some actions you can take:

1. Advocate for Accommodations: Work with the school to ensure all testing accommodations are provided.
2. Reinforce Foundational Skills: Consider extra help, like online tutoring, to boost skills your child struggles with.
3. Focus on Confidence: Celebrate small victories to keep your child motivated, even when test results fall short.

The Future of Measuring Academic Success

Standardized testing doesn’t have to remain the norm. A shift toward personalized education tools and assessments could change the way children are evaluated. 

And while it’s an ambitious goal, it’s one worth striving for. After all, education should celebrate each student’s progress, regardless of their unique journey.

What are your thoughts on standardized testing? Does it cause challenges for your child, or do you think there’s value in the process? Share your experiences below, and together, let’s continue advocating for better solutions tailored to every student’s needs.

For more guidance on navigating special education, check out these articles: 

Additional Test Taking Resources

• What Are Testing Accommodations in Special Education?
• Test Anxiety Strategies for High School Students
• State Testing: 7 Ways to Help Your Special Needs Child Prepare
• What Are the Best Test Taking Tips for Kids?

Do you have a child that needs one-on-one assistance?  

We offer one-on-one special education tutoring that can be done from anywhere the student is! Why? Because our special education experts conduct their sessions online!

Get started with a free consultation today!