Tests are Culturally Biased Argumentative Essay by Nicky

A look at cultural bias in tests.
# 145679 | 823 words | 8 sources | MLA | 2010 | US
Published on Nov 23, 2010 in Education (Teaching Methods) , Education (Multiculturalism)


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Description:

This paper argues that tests are culturally biased, promoting unfair discrimination against minorities. It further shows how this bias is pervasive in all types of testing, whether it be educational, standardized, assessment, entrance, pre-employment, intelligence, etc. and at every level and age bracket. Various scholars are cited who give salient examples of this bias in their works. Although the paper notes that that most experts agree it is difficult, if not impossible, to compose a test that is free of cultural bias, solutions to this problem are presented in a list format at the conclusion of the paper.

From the Paper:

"The argument has been put forth numerous times that redesign of tests, eliminating certain questions, or broadening the sample, might be a solution to the bias inherent in testing. Others suggest that redesigning evaluation procedures or revised methods of scoring could help. All have been tried, some have helped, and most have failed.
"What is soon discovered is that all these solutions applied to a fundamentally and inherently defective test will not bring about a positive result. (Bernhard) The thought that all members of every population will look at the world in the same way is false."

Sample of Sources Used:

  • Bellevue College Education Department, Bellevue, WA. "Guidelines to Avoid Test Bias." 6 October 2006. Bellevue College. 23 January 200 <http://bellevuecollege.edu/bias/overview.htm>.
  • Bernhard, Judith. "Cultural Bias in Standard Tests of Mental Abilities." n.d. Ryerson Polytechnical Institute. 23 January 2009 <http://www.ryerson.ca/~bernhard/documents/culturalbias_000.pdf>.
  • Education Alliance at Brown University. "Teaching Diverse Learners." 2006. The Education Alliance, Brown University. 23 January 2009 <http://www.alliance.brown.edu/tdl/assessment/stndrdassess-prt.shtml>.
  • Laturnau, Joseph. "Cultural Bias in Standardized Tests." n.d. Pac. Ed. . 23 January 2009 <http://www.prel.org/products/paced/aug02/pc_tests.htm>.
  • RamMohan, Yasmin Tara. "Advocates say standardized tests often flunk cultural bias scrutiny." 09 May 2007. Medill Reports. 23 January 2009 <http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=35935>.

Cite this Argumentative Essay:

APA Format

Tests are Culturally Biased (2010, November 23) Retrieved December 03, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/argumentative-essay/tests-are-culturally-biased-145679/

MLA Format

"Tests are Culturally Biased" 23 November 2010. Web. 03 December. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/argumentative-essay/tests-are-culturally-biased-145679/>

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