Student Engagement: a Substitute for Standardized Tests?

Student engagement can indeed be a good indicator of achievement, but not in every case. For example, children can engage in a project based on a story in their basal reader, but that does not prove they are capable of actually reading and comprehending that story. Similarly, a student's science fair entry may not indicate that he or she is capable of producing the mathematical values that led to the project's conclusion.

Policy makers need valid and reliable means to measure achievement and build accountability, not just for teachers, but also for those who train teachers. Standardized tests fill that critical need. Besides, those who can demonstrate achievement through meaningful engagement in classroom activity are, in all likelihood, equally prepared to do the same on standardized tests.