阅读理解

　　No one wants to be tested．We would all like to get a driver' s license without answering questions about rights of way or showing that we can parallel park a car．Many future lawyers and doctors probably wish they could join their profession without taking an exam．

　　But tests and standards are a necessary fact of life．They protect us from unskilled drivers, harmful products and dishonest professionals．In schools too exams play a constructive role．They tell public officials whether new school programs are making a difference and where new investments are likely to pay off．They tell teachers what their students have learned ——and have not．They tell parents how their children are doing compared with others their age．They encourage students to make more effort．

　　It is important to recall that for most of century, educators used intelligence tests to decide which children should get a high - quality education．The point of IQ testing was to find out how much children were capable of learning rather than to test what they had actually learned．Based on IQ scores, millions of children were assigned to dumbed-down programs instead of solid courses in science, math, history, literature and foreign language．

　　This history reminds us that tests should be used to improve education．Every child should have access to a high-quality education．Students should have full opportunity to learn what will be tested; otherwise their scores will merely reflect whether they come from an educated family．

　　In the past few years, we have seen the enormous benefits that flow to disadvantaged students because of the information provided by state tests．Those who fall behind are now getting extra instruction in after-school classes and summer programs．In their efforts to improve student performance, states are increasing teachers’salaries, testing new teachers and insisting on better teacher education．

　　Performance in education means the mastery of both knowledge and skills．This is why it is reasonable to test teachers to make sure they know their subject matter, as well as how to teach it to young children．And this is why it is reasonable to assess whether students are ready to advance to the next grade or graduate from high school．

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