History of Assessments Research Paper

History of Assessment/Testing in the United States

Assessment practices in the United States are not something that started yesterday. Assessment and testing in the United States began many years ago and they have taken several transformations throughout time. For over a century use of standardized testing for the assessment of aptitudes and achievement has played a major role in shaping the educational thinking in America. Today such tests are quite common .The paper will look at the history of assessment or testing in the United States from 1900 to 2010.a timeline of dates, significant events and the importance of these dates and events in the history of assessment and testing in the United States.

Assessment practices began in early 1900's with the United States government being the predominant driver. In public schools, IQ tests and other standardized tests became quite popular. The main focus of these early tests was the determination of a student's ability as opposed to the assessment of learning which the trend is today. The first standardized test in United States was Thorndike Handwriting Scale developed in 1910 used to measure the level of mastery in students handwriting (Fletcher,2009).1920 saw the creation of SATs which were used to determine the ability of potential students to benefit from higher education.SAT and ACT tests are still currently being used for the same purpose. However, this standardization tests has been opposed by many who claim that the test are bias against race, gender and socio-economic background (Cobb, 2004).

There were five waves of educational reforms that took place between 1950's and 1990's.In 1950's there was the emphasis of the role of tests in selection and tracking. In the 1960's tests were used for program accountability. Emphasis on use of test to make important decisions regarding students, teachers and administration in secondary and elementary schools as well as the evaluation of schools and their systems came to existence in 1965 as a result of the authorization of Elementary and secondary education Act. This was aimed at ensuring that there was quality in what was taught in American schools. From 1965-2001 most middle school and elementary students took standardized tests such as CAT (California Achievement Test). In 1970's there were programs of minimum competency created. The minimum competency movement was the first in a series of education reforms whereby tests were not only meant for effectiveness of….....