Testing Smarter, Not Harder

I understand the value of assessments. Testing can be a powerful tool for measuring student growth, diagnosing learning gaps, and informing instructional strategies. Yet, over the years, I’ve grown increasingly frustrated by how mandated assessments encroach upon valuable instructional time. As an administrator, I ensured compliance with state and district testing mandates, often prioritizing accountability metrics over meaningful classroom activities. I struggled with the volume of assessments and their impact on students and teachers.

Too often, I found myself questioning the purpose of specific tests. Did every assessment genuinely provide value to students and teachers, or were some simply fulfilling bureaucratic requirements? All too frequently, it felt like the latter.

The problem isn’t that testing exists — it’s how it dominates the school calendar: preparation, administration, and make-up testing swallow weeks of instructional time. Teachers, already stretched thin, are often forced to condense lessons, skip enrichment activities, or rush through the material to accommodate a growing list of assessments. Meanwhile, students — many already grappling with academic pressures — bear the emotional weight of constant testing. The very tools intended to support learning sometimes end up hindering it.

When done thoughtfully, testing can be a guide, not a barrier. Purposeful assessments provide valuable insights without disrupting the learning process. For example, formative assessments—low stakes, real-time checks for understanding—allow teachers to adjust their instruction effectively. I’ve witnessed classrooms where quick, informal assessments like exit tickets or class discussions gave teachers actionable insights without derailing their lesson plans.

Testing is essential in education but must serve students, not systems. Education is too important to be overshadowed by excessive assessments. Let’s focus on what truly matters: fostering curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning in every student. We can make that vision a reality by testing smarter, not harder.