Solution
With every problem comes a solution. Standardized testing must not determine the educational futures of today’s students. The first step in solving this problem is to obliterate standardized testing in the United States. With standardized testing gone, colleges, scholarship committees, and high school administration will have to use a different way to determine who is awarded and who is not. The solution is easy. With colleges and scholarship committees, the admissions and awards should be determined the same way a job is determined. The colleges and committees can have a personal interview to discuss the applicant’s qualifications. By having a personal interview, the college and scholarship committees would actually get to know the student and see what kind of a person they are. Nonverbal communication would be shown through the interview. This unspoken communication speaks volumes. Again, just like a job interview, the candidate could bring in or submit a few letters of recommendation from teachers, coaches, or family friends. These people have watched the student grow up and would be able to provide valuable insight to the interviewers. By submitting the personal contact information, the interviewers would be able to call the contacts and obtain any information needed. In addition to the interview, letters of recommendation, and the personal contacts, the student could submit a written essay. This essay would show a student’s work ethic and their quality of work. Looking at a student’s grade point average would reflect on both of these things and also demonstrate dedication and persistence. By using all of these things instead of using standardized tests, the interviewers will have a better understanding of each student and a student’s future can be more honestly determined.