Data Drudgery: How Standardized Testing Fails Our Students
Data can be a valuable tool to measure student performance and outcomes; there is a reason we teach statistics in schools. However, we could be losing the plot when it comes to what data points we emphasize and value. At Montessori schools, teachers do not teach to the test or grade level standards, instead they teach students according to their interests and readiness. Thus, often students perform less well on areas of standardized testing that they haven’t learned yet. This paints a misleading picture of student readiness and achievement.
Data can also be used not only to identify students who are meeting standards, but also students who are falling below standards and may need more support. However, the problem occurs when data is identifying students who may need support, but the school doesn’t have the resources to provide extra support for those students. Sometimes teachers are overwhelmed with data and information they cannot even act on, and that may even be detrimental to their students. Do all these “education standards” really matter? Or is student success and happiness more important?
Rethinking What We Choose to Measure in Schools
By Sachin Pandya | December 17th, 2025 | EdSurge
