Too many decisions rely on the outcome of standardized tests

Standardized tests, especially in America, determine several factors in the education system. Teacher tenure, school evaluations, student promotion to the next grade level, and eligibility to graduate high school are all determined by standardized tests skills.^[1] Too much relies on the results of these tests. Punishing teachers because some of their students perform poorly on a standardized test is the equivalent of a coach punishing the entire athletics class for something one person does. Standardized tests aren't an accurate measure of intelligence/knowledge, so it makes no sense to base teacher tenure and evaluations on the results of these tests.

[P1] Standardized tests are required in most developed countries. [P2] They are the only available objective measure of student success throughout the country. [P3] They are not an accurate measure of intelligence, merely a measurement of test-taking abilities. [P4] The government (state and federal) uses these test results to decide things like teacher tenure and student eligibility for graduating.^[1] [P5] Too many important decisions rely on test results that are based on test-taking ability, not intelligence.