It is obvious to most in the field of education that it is a disservice to measure student abilities, knowledge, etc. using a single measure of assessment. This applies not only to the regular, everyday classroom, but also to the assessment of learning disabilities. For this reason, every tool used in the identification of learning disabilities must be utilized, as well as scrutinized, to ensure that the student is being assessed as accurately as possible. Whether it is informal observation or formal testing, we must conduct the entire process with extreme care and precision.
A measure that is often used and likely always will be is the use of standardized testing. This method of assessment has as many weaknesses as strengths and if anything, possibly more of the former. In looking at the usefulness of standardized testing, we must always look first at the individual for whom the test will be administered to. If we find no reason that the tests will be ineffective for the child due to any disabilities the child may have, then we have the opportunity to take advantage of those potential benefits that exist in this type of assessment.
A component that can act as both a pro and a con to standardized testing is the universality of the tests. Yes, it is not quite as helpful in that the uniqueness in the abilities of the child is set aside, but it does ensure that a degree of uniformity is exercised so as to provide some much needed comparisons to others who are in similar situations. This prevents variations in the administration of the tests that may contain some bias, unintentional as it may be, as well as prevent deviation in the way the results are examined.
Basically, this method examines each subject under the same microscope and although there are the aforementioned benefits to such an assessment, therein also exists one of the major negative components. It is because each child is so very different in the needs they have that this could provide a vague scope of the difficulties the child may possess. Therefore, all other factors, whether intrinsic or otherwise, are set aside. The objectivity of the standardized exam, initially thought to be an advantage, becomes its greatest shortcoming.
These standardized tests are not the only concern that must be paid attention by the teachers, administrators and other professionals involved in the child’s education. We must also be concerned with the various forms of “Authentic Assessment”. Despite the fact that this process counters the previously mentioned negative effects of standardized testing, there are still many precautions that need to be taken into consideration when looking at the value of this “informal assessment”.
Yes, it does allow for the much needed student specific attention, but at the same time, it also allows the potential for the test construction to contain many unintended flaws. For example, the reliability of the test comes into question. Suddenly, the inherently good intentions of such a method can hinder the intended results. In addition to all of these problems exists the legality of the tests and it is for this reason that this type of assessment can become very risky.
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