Why Are Schools Using Only One Form of Assessment?

Whilst reading the chapter, it seemed to me that the greatest problem we have when it comes to assessment is that many schools are primarily only using standardized testing for their students. Perhaps that is not entirely the case, but it does seem that standardized testing scores are the only thing the “higher ups” are worried about. There are so many different ways that teachers can assess students such as portfolio assessments, oral assessments, and performance evaluation forms, which only scratch the surface. It seems almost silly to me that we should rely almost solely on standardized testing results to assess our students, seeing as there are so many issues with standardized testing. From what I’ve experienced myself, to seeing my cadet students struggle with standardized testing, to what I’ve learned in other classes and in this chapter, it seems that there are more problems with standardized testing that positives. One of the main issues of standardized testing that I’d like to focus on is pressure. There is loads of pressure piled on everyone involved with a standardized test. The students, the teacher, the administration, the parents. Standardized testing creates a high stress situation for all. Administration feels pressured to do well in the case where they might lose money or have to fire teachers if their students do not perform well on the tests. That could prompt them to put pressure on the teachers to ensure that their students perform well. The teachers feel pressured and then may be prompted to only teach the material to the test, neglecting so many other lessons and opportunities for learning for fear of losing their job if their students do not perform well. Other than the possibility of high test anxiety, students often feel extremely pressured by their teachers to do well on standardized tests as teachers often remind students how important they are. Parents also feel pressured by teachers and administration for their students to do well. This creates an extremely unhealthy environment for everyone. So I ask again, why are schools only using this form of assessment as the one they take seriously? If so many other forms of assessment have proved to work, and will keep stress levels low, why not incorporate those instead of putting mass amounts of pressure on the students and the people who are there to help those students succeed?