Reviving High-Stakes Testing in Education

October 9, 2025 - 02:06

Former Education Secretary Margaret Spellings has called for a renewed focus on high-stakes testing as a means to enhance accountability and improve student achievement in the United States. In her view, the past decade has seen a troubling decline in educational outcomes, and she believes that reinstating rigorous testing standards could be a key factor in reversing this trend.

Spellings argues that testing not only holds schools accountable but also provides valuable data that can inform teaching practices and policy decisions. By implementing a structured approach to assessments, educators can identify areas where students struggle and address these challenges more effectively.

In her commentary, she emphasizes that a balanced approach to testing, which includes both formative and summative assessments, can create a more comprehensive understanding of student performance. This strategy could pave the way for targeted interventions that support students in reaching their full potential, ultimately leading to a stronger educational system.