A question that we often ask ourselves at PNA is how to better serve our students’ academic needs.  One way we identify areas for improvement in our instruction and curriculum is to study the results of the yearly ERB test results.

The administration of the ERB test to grades 2-8 allows the faculty an opportunity to look for strengths and weaknesses across the curriculum, the school in general and in each individual student.  By using a standardized test such as the ERB, we can compare the performance of our students to the performance of the Independent School Norm, comprised up of more than 2,000 member  schools whose students take the ERB test.

In an article entitled “Benefits of Standardized Testing for Students and Teachers” by Cambridge Educational Services, several main benefits of standardized testing were discussed and identified.

​Standardized tests objectively compare
student skill levels across schools
As mentioned above, one key benefit to using a standardized test as a benchmark is seeing how our school and students are performing compared to our peers.

Standardized Testing is paired with standards to ensure mastery of grade-appropriate material
Standards help ensure that all students are learning the same content and skills within the same timeframe and help to prevent gaps in curriculum and instruction. When the tests are paired with state and national standards, they can provide information on whether students are on the right track in their educational journey.

Standardized testing can serve as
motivation for students
While this may seem counter-intuitive, testing can provide a different lens for the students themselves to see how they are performing.  When the test results are used in this way, students are being brought in as an active participant in their own education.  They can see where they fall in comparison to their peers, which benchmarks they are or are not hitting, and help them identify areas for improvement.  Educators can then provide support and guidance to help students set safe and attainable learning goals based on this information.

Standardized tests can help students prepare
for the real world
There is still a debate whether the benefits outweigh the cons to standardized testing.  Some feel that these tests are too high-stakes or stressful for the students, or don’t offer a high enough amount of useful information to justify taking the test. However, testing is a way of life for our students.  They will be tested throughout their academic years, into high school, college and beyond, as many career paths require the passing of specific tests.
By setting students up early with good test-taking skills and giving them an opportunity to strengthen their  growth mindset about testing, we are helping to ensure future successes.

The testing attitude and environment set forth by individual teachers and the school itself plays a huge part in a successful testing experience.  Things such as skills prep, practice test-taking (learning how to actually fill in the test) and encouragement to just “show what you know” all help to lessen student stress.

To see more research and read more about the benefits of standardized testing, please visit
https://www.cambridgeed.com/BenefitsOfStandardizedTesting