[Mars]

When I was in school I had Iowa Test of Basic Skills, Colorado Student Assessment Program tests, and ACTs.

[Mikes]

But when I said "anyone else" I was referring to both countries with and without standardized testing.

In general, standardized written tests as an instrument are facing mounting criticism since companies and universities started complaining that the people they get from school don't know how to do *crap* other than "puking out their knowledge onto a paper". Recent research also underlines the failures of an education that is streamlined to be successful at "written tests" and little else. Especially social and problem solving skills are usually underdevelopped to nonexistant.

An alternative is not in sight however

[sigtau]

As a religious person, I gotta ask: what the **** happened to church and state?

[Mongoose]

I'd agree with some of this talk of reforms, but I was the odd student out who did really well with rote memorization and hated working in groups, so I don't know how well it would have worked with me.  It might have helped to bring my critical thinking and creativity out of the ****ter, though.

[Bobboau]

As a religious person, I gotta ask: what the **** happened to church and state?

I assume you mean the separation thereof?

[Polpolion]

As a religious person, I gotta ask: what the **** happened to church and state?

I assume you mean the separation thereof?

It's funny because the question is still valid if he doesn't.   

[Nemesis6]

I think I can answer it -- The wall of separation between church and state is being eroded by the "Christian Nation" meme. I think that's the best explanation.

[The E]

Discussion about whether race has an influence on intelligence has been split.

[pecenipicek]

On the topic of the education system, that's personally my first target for reform. The current system does not encourage creative or different thought. You are meant to learn the material to get higher numbers which in our system somehow = better students/people/learners/thinkers. Obviously this is proving to be a fallacy, and what's worse, I think that most every kid in the US feels how BS the education system is, but they feel like they *have* to do it because that's how everyone before them did it. I don't think people realize how new a lot of our educational practices are, relatively speaking.

Smarter, better educated people think more about their choices in life and are more likely to try and do things on their own, rather than listening to what someone says to them.
"Stupider" people are more likely to simply go along with what they're told and believe in happy stuff the goverment/religion of choice/the man/whatever tells them to do.

Guess which cathegory would be preferred by the goverment?

Spoiler:

I'm generalising a LOT here. But that doesnt really invalidate my point much.

Punting this back here, since its still relevant to the thread and i still want to hear UT's response to that.