Summary of “Standardized: Lies, Money, and Civil Rights: How Testing Is Ruining Public Education” (2013) Documentary

“Standardized: Lies, Money, and Civil Rights: How Testing Is Ruining Public Education” (2013) is a documentary directed by Daniel Hornberger that critiques the high-stakes standardized testing movement in the United States. The film argues that the widespread use of standardized testing is not improving education but is instead harming students, teachers, and schools.

Key themes and issues addressed in the documentary include:

1. The Testing Industry and Profit Motive: The film explores how standardized testing has become a multibillion-dollar industry. Companies like Pearson and ETS (Educational Testing Service) are shown as driving forces behind the push for more testing, with significant profits made at the expense of meaningful education.
2. Impact on Students: The documentary emphasizes the negative effects standardized tests have on students, particularly those from low-income and minority backgrounds. It argues that testing exacerbates inequality and leads to a narrowed curriculum that focuses on test preparation rather than critical thinking and creativity.
3. Effects on Teachers: The film critiques how standardized testing is used to evaluate teachers, leading to increased pressure and stress. Many teachers are forced to “teach to the test,” which limits their ability to engage students in deeper learning. The film also discusses how good teachers are penalized or even fired based on their students’ test scores.
4. Civil Rights and Inequality: The documentary connects standardized testing to broader issues of civil rights, arguing that the overemphasis on testing disproportionately harms marginalized communities. Schools in poorer areas are often labeled as “failing” based on test scores, which can lead to school closures and other harmful consequences for students.
5. The Fight Against Testing: The film also highlights grassroots movements of parents, students, and educators who are pushing back against the testing regime, advocating for more equitable and meaningful approaches to education.

Overall, “Standardized” portrays standardized testing as a harmful system that benefits corporations and politicians while undermining the true purpose of education.

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