In high school, students are forced to take various standardized tests that supposedly gauge intelligence and skill. Throughout the year, students take so many practice tests from release TAKS, to benchmarks, to field tests, that the testing becomes self-defeating.

Throughout high school, it’s typical for the average student to be taught that gaining certain academic achievements is the only thing that matters. Obtaining the status of National Merit Scholar, Top 10%, or commended performance on TAKS seems to be all that teachers, administrators and other students talk about.

As Mrs. Willett would say, testing season has arrived. From the TAKS to the SAT, the spring semester of high school is filled with an abundance of standardized testing.