John Oliver jumps in the fight against standardized-testing mania

The United States has been increasing its battery of standardized tests since the 1990s, and the number has only increased since President George W. Bush signed No Child Left Behind in 2001. Now, kids take 10 to 20 standardized tests a year, depending on grade, for a total average of 113 by the time they graduate, said John Oliver on Sunday's Last Week Tonight. This isn't sitting well with many children, some of whom don't test well, others who get so nervous they throw up.

"Something is wrong with our system when we just assume a certain number of kids will vomit," Oliver said. "Tests are supposed to be assessments of skills, not a rap battle on 8 Mile Road." President Obama campaigned against standardized testing, but only added his own — and both he and Bush (and countless governors) use the same appealing argument: Some schools are failing, and we need accountability. "Unfortunately," Oliver said, "accountability is one of those concepts that everybody's in favor of but nobody knows how to make work — like synergy or maxi-dresses."

This is about where standardized testing proponents should be getting nervous. "Look, at this point, you have to ask yourself if standardized tests are bad for teachers and bad for kids, who exactly are they good for?" Oliver asked. And if you're not familiar with Pearson, the testing giant, prepare to be displeased. Watch below: —Peter Weber

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up