Question

Use the passage to answer the question.

Standardized tests are a very effective means of gauging a student's mastery of a subject because they are just that—standardized. Without standardized tests, a student may receive an A from one teacher and a C from another, regardless of the student’s understanding of the class material. Using machine-graded standardized tests is more equitable for all students.
Which response to this argument has the best developed counterclaim and evidence?

(1 point)

Answer 1

To provide a well-developed counterclaim and evidence in response to the argument about standardized tests, one could say:

While standardized tests are designed to be objective measures of a student's knowledge, they often fail to account for diverse learning styles and socio-economic factors that can impact performance. For example, students from low-income backgrounds may not have access to the same resources—such as test prep materials or quiet study environments—as their peers, leading to disparities in test outcomes that do not accurately reflect their mastery of the subject. Furthermore, standardized tests can create high-pressure situations that affect student performance, as evidenced by research showing that anxiety can hinder test-taking abilities, further exacerbating inequities. Therefore, relying solely on standardized tests may not provide a fair assessment of a student's true understanding and mastery of the subject matter.

This response presents a clear counterclaim, highlighting the limitations of standardized tests, and supports it with evidence about socio-economic disparities and the impact of test anxiety on performance.