Skip Navigation
We use cookies to offer you a better browsing experience, provide ads, analyze site traffic, and personalize content. If you continue to use this site, you consent to our use of cookies.
NEA Activity

Can you succeed in the standardized testing system?

Overreliance on standardized testing is failing students and educators alike. See if you can succeed as an educator in a testing environment that’s stacked against you—spoiler alert, the game just might be unwinnable.
Published: March 2023
This resource originally appeared on NEA.org

You have 3 minutes* to avoid these typical testing obstacles

A stack of textbooks: Good luck making it through your actual curriculum AND teaching the test!

A broken pencil: Oops! We don’t have any more working supplies for you.

A laptop: Hope all your students know how to use the provided laptops—and none of them break down!

Section with embed

Section with embed

This is a tool to illustrate the unwinnable status quo of standardized testing, but students' futures aren't a game. We call for a transformation to this system to one that is worthy of all our students.

*Why 3? That’s the number of subjects federal law requires schools to test—ELA, math, and science. So your dedicated history student, art whiz, and budding musician won’t see their hard work or talents reflected in the results.

Use Your Educator Voice.

We are THE voice for educators in Arkansas. See what membership can mean for you!
illustrations of different people as changemakers on a dark blue background

What type of union changemaker are you?

Whether it's your nature speak up loudly or work behind the scenes quietly, our union is made up of many different types of activists.

Take our short quiz to find out what kind of changemaker you are. Then, we’ll connect you with resources to make your activism sing!

Arkansas Education Association logo

Ensuring the Success of Every Student.

The Arkansas Education Association is a professional organization for teachers, education support professionals, students and advocates. Our fundamental objective is to work for quality and equitable public education for all of Arkansas students, the betterment of the Arkansas state education system and quality working conditions for educators.