who invented standardized tests
Standardized tests have become a ubiquitous part of the education system, with students taking them at various points throughout their academic careers. These tests are designed to measure a student’s knowledge, skills, and abilities in a standardized and objective manner. While they are often seen as an important tool for assessing student performance, they have also been met with criticism and controversy. But who exactly invented these tests and how did they become such a prevalent part of the education system?
The origins of standardized testing can be traced back to China in the Han dynasty (206 BC-220 AD). The Chinese government used a standardized civil service exam to select government officials based on their knowledge of Confucian philosophy and literature. This exam was highly competitive and was seen as a way to ensure a merit-based selection process for government positions. However, the use of standardized tests for education purposes did not truly emerge until the early 20th century in the Western world.
In the United States, the origins of standardized testing can be traced back to the 19th century when Horace Mann, the “father of American education,” advocated for a more centralized and standardized education system. Mann believed that standardized exams would level the playing field for students from different backgrounds and create a more uniform education system. However, it wasn’t until the early 20th century that standardized tests were truly implemented in American schools.
One of the first standardized tests in the United States was the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) exam, which was introduced in 1901. The CEEB was created by a group of universities, including Harvard, Yale, and Princeton, in order to create a more standardized admissions process for their institutions. This exam was designed to measure a student’s aptitude in various subjects and was used as a way to determine college readiness. However, the CEEB exam was only taken by a small portion of students, mainly those applying to Ivy League schools.
It wasn’t until after World War I that standardized testing truly took hold in the American education system. With the rise of industrialization and the need for a more educated workforce, the government began to see standardized tests as a way to measure the success of the education system. In 1917, the Army Alpha and Beta tests were introduced as a way to assess the intelligence and aptitude of soldiers during World War I. These tests were also used to determine which soldiers were best suited for different roles within the military.
After the war, the Army Alpha and Beta tests were adapted for use in the education system, and in 1926 the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) was introduced. The SAT was created by a group of psychologists and educators, including Carl Brigham, who had worked on the Army Alpha and Beta tests. The SAT was designed to measure a student’s aptitude for college-level work and was seen as a way to create a more objective admissions process for universities. However, the SAT was not without its critics, who argued that it favored white, affluent students and did not accurately measure a student’s potential for success in college.
In the 1950s, the ACT (American College Testing) was introduced as an alternative to the SAT. The ACT was seen as a more practical exam, focusing on a student’s knowledge and skills in specific subject areas, rather than their aptitude. This test was also seen as more inclusive, as it was not based solely on verbal and mathematical ability like the SAT. Today, both the SAT and ACT are widely used in the college admissions process, with many universities accepting either or both exams.
While standardized tests were initially intended for use in college admissions, they soon began to permeate the entire education system. In the 1960s, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) was passed, which provided federal funding for schools based on their performance on standardized tests. This led to an increased emphasis on standardized testing in schools, as teachers and administrators were under pressure to show improvements in student scores in order to receive funding.
In the 1980s and 1990s, the use of standardized tests became even more prevalent with the passage of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). These laws required schools to administer standardized tests to students in certain grades, with the results being used to evaluate the school’s performance and determine funding. This created a high-stakes environment for both students and schools, with the pressure to perform well on these tests becoming the main focus of education.
However, the use of standardized tests in the education system has not been without controversy. One of the main criticisms of these tests is their potential to create a one-size-fits-all approach to education, where students are taught to the test rather than being encouraged to think critically and creatively. This has led to concerns that standardized tests do not accurately measure a student’s true abilities and can unfairly disadvantage certain groups of students, such as English language learners and students from low-income backgrounds.
Another criticism of standardized tests is their potential to create a high-stakes environment that puts immense pressure on students, teachers, and schools. This can lead to teaching to the test, where teachers focus on test-taking strategies rather than teaching a well-rounded curriculum. It can also create a stressful and competitive atmosphere for students, who may feel that their entire future is dependent on their performance on one test.
Despite these criticisms, standardized tests continue to be a prevalent and influential part of the education system. In recent years, there has been a push towards reducing the emphasis on these tests and moving towards a more holistic approach to assessing student performance. Some states, such as California, have even eliminated the use of standardized tests for college admissions.
In conclusion, standardized tests have a long and complex history, with their origins dating back centuries. While they were initially seen as a way to create a more objective and fair education system, they have also faced considerable criticism and controversy. Whether or not these tests will continue to be a significant part of the education system remains to be seen, but what is clear is that they have had a lasting impact on the way we assess student performance.
how do i change birthday on facebook
facebook -parental-controls-guide”>Facebook is one of the most popular social media platforms, with over 2.8 billion monthly active users worldwide. It allows people to connect and share their moments with friends and family, making it an integral part of our daily lives. One of the essential features of Facebook is the ability to share personal information, including your birthday. However, there may come a time when you need to change your birthday on Facebook. This could be due to various reasons, such as a wrong date entered initially, privacy concerns, or simply wanting to update your age. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about changing your birthday on Facebook.
Before we dive into the steps to change your birthday on Facebook, it is essential to understand the implications of doing so. Once you change your birthday, it will be visible to your friends and followers on Facebook. Also, Facebook has a limit on how often you can change your birthday, which is four times within a 365-day period. Therefore, it is crucial to make sure the date entered is correct before saving it. With that said, let’s explore the different methods to change your birthday on Facebook.
Method 1: Changing Your Birthday on Desktop
The first method to change your birthday on Facebook is through the desktop version of the website. Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1: Log in to your Facebook account on a desktop browser.
Step 2: Once logged in, click on your profile icon at the top right corner of the screen.
Step 3: On your profile page, click on the “About” section.
Step 4: In the “About” section, click on “Contact and Basic Info.”
Step 5: Scroll down to the “Basic Information” section and click on the “Edit” button next to your birth date.
Step 6: A pop-up will appear, allowing you to edit your birth date. Select your new birth date from the drop-down menus for month, day, and year.
Step 7: Once you have entered the correct date, click on the “Save Changes” button.
Method 2: Changing Your Birthday on Mobile App
If you prefer using the Facebook mobile app, you can also change your birthday through it. Here’s how:
Step 1: Open the Facebook app on your mobile device.
Step 2: Tap on the three horizontal lines at the top right corner of the screen to access the menu.
Step 3: Scroll down and tap on “Settings & Privacy.”
Step 4: From the expanded menu, select “Settings.”
Step 5: In the settings menu, tap on “Personal Information.”
Step 6: Under “Personal Information,” tap on “Birthday.”
Step 7: On the next screen, tap on the pencil icon next to your birth date.
Step 8: A pop-up will appear, allowing you to change your birth date. Select your new birth date from the drop-down menus for month, day, and year.
Step 9: Once you have entered the correct date, tap on the “Save” button.
Method 3: Requesting a Birthday Change from Facebook
If you are unable to change your birthday through the methods mentioned above, you can request a birthday change directly from Facebook. However, this option is only available if you have reached your limit for changing your birthday within a year. Here’s how you can request a birthday change from Facebook:
Step 1: Log in to your Facebook account on a desktop browser.
Step 2: Go to the “Help” section by clicking on the question mark icon at the top right corner of the screen.
Step 3: From the expanded menu, select “Help Center.”
Step 4: In the search bar, type “birthday change request” and press enter.
Step 5: Select the first result, which should be “How do I change my birthday on Facebook?”
Step 6: Scroll down and click on the “Let us know” button under the “Still Need Help?” section.
Step 7: A form will appear, asking you to provide a valid government-issued ID to verify your date of birth.
Step 8: Upload a clear photo of your ID and submit the form.
Step 9: Facebook will review your request and make the necessary changes if your request is approved.
Things to Consider Before Changing Your Birthday on Facebook
Changing your birthday on Facebook may seem like a simple task, but there are a few things you should consider before doing so. Here are some factors to keep in mind:
1. Privacy Concerns: Your birthday is personal information, and sharing it on a public platform like Facebook can put you at risk of identity theft or other privacy concerns. Therefore, it is crucial to adjust your privacy settings to control who can see your birthday.
2. Limit on Changing Birthday: As mentioned earlier, Facebook has a limit on how often you can change your birthday. Therefore, it is essential to enter the correct date to avoid reaching this limit.
3. Impact on Notifications: Changing your birthday on Facebook can affect the notifications you receive from the platform. For example, if you change your birthday to a different month, you may not receive birthday wishes from your friends on your actual birthday.
4. Impact on Memories: Facebook has a feature called “On This Day,” which shows you memories from past years on that particular day. Changing your birthday may affect these memories, and you may not see them on the correct date.
5. Impact on Friends: Changing your birthday may confuse your friends and followers, as they may not know the reason behind the change. It is essential to communicate the change with your close friends and family to avoid confusion.
In Conclusion
Changing your birthday on Facebook is a simple process, but it is crucial to consider the implications before doing so. Whether you want to correct an incorrect date or update your age, the methods mentioned in this article will help you change your birthday on Facebook. However, it is essential to keep in mind the limitations and potential impacts of changing your birthday. With proper consideration and precautions, you can easily update your birthday and continue using Facebook to connect with your loved ones.
