For decades, standardized tests have played a central role in the U.S. education system. One study found that students take an average of 112 standardized tests between pre-k and 12th grade. They’re consistent, informative, and allow educators to evaluate school achievement in an easy-to-compare way.
However, over time, many educators, researchers, and parents have raised concerns about persistent standardized testing problems. High levels of student stress, reduced time for creative and critical thinking, and the tendency to focus too much on test prep can all stem from standardized testing.
Standardized test scores also may not offer a complete picture of student learning or instruction quality. That brings us to a long-standing argument against standardized testing: The data doesn’t always reflect the complexity or individuality of student progress.
As a result, more schools are exploring alternatives to standardized testing that are flexible, inclusive, and better aligned with how students learn best. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most promising alternatives for standardized testing and how they foster a more holistic view of learning.
Standardized tests are designed to measure student performance using the same questions, format, and scoring criteria across different schools and districts. These tests primarily measure:
Under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), public schools are required to administer standardized tests to receive federal funding. Here’s when students are typically tested:
Testing windows typically occur between January and June, although exact dates vary by state and district.
Related Reading: Standardized Testing in Elementary Schools: Helping Young Learners
Some modern standardized exams, like the Smarter Balanced assessments, are administered online and use adaptive technology. Questions adjust in difficulty based on student responses: Correct answers lead to harder questions, while incorrect ones trigger easier follow-ups. Final scores are calculated using complex algorithms.
While adaptive testing offers some personalization, it still operates within a rigid structure and often prioritizes uniform test-taking over deeper learning.
Standardized tests, at their best, can provide a useful snapshot of student learning across a school, district, or state. These assessments can help:
That said, there are still several standardized testing problems to be considered, and these drawbacks can sometimes outweigh the benefits.
The arguments against standardized testing are valid and evident in classrooms across the country.
The high-stakes nature of standardized tests creates a formal, high-pressure atmosphere that can lead to significant anxiety. This test-related stress can impair performance, even in students who normally thrive in everyday classroom settings. In these cases, the test results may not reflect what a student truly knows or can do.
Instead of fostering curiosity and deep understanding, teachers may feel pressured only to cover what’s likely to appear on the exam. Research shows that this intense focus on test preparation can limit creativity and time spent on subjects and skills not measured by the test.
The rigid format of standardized tests—such as multiple-choice questions with one correct answer—can decrease student engagement. When learners don’t see opportunities to explore, question, or express themselves in meaningful ways, their connection to the material can weaken.
One study highlighted how students often become discouraged when they receive poor results. Rather than motivating improvement, these scores can lead to diminished confidence and a decreased joy of learning.
True learning involves curiosity, discovery, and the freedom to ask, “What if?” However, when tests prioritize the “right” answer above all else, students have fewer chances to think critically or pursue their own ideas.
Taken together, these standardized testing problems suggest that it’s time to reimagine how we measure learning. Educators and administrators alike are asking: Is there a better way?
When discussing alternatives to standardized testing, it’s important to understand the difference between summative and formative assessments.
Summative assessments measure student learning at the end of an instructional period. These are the big-picture evaluations used to determine what students have retained after a unit, semester, or school year. Common examples include:
Most standardized tests fall under the summative umbrella. While they offer a snapshot of student achievement, they often miss the nuances of how that learning unfolded over time, one of the most common standardized testing problems cited by educators.
In contrast, formative assessments are ongoing and happen throughout the learning process. These help teachers gather real-time insights and adjust instruction accordingly. Examples include:
Formative assessments support learning as it’s happening. Rather than just offering cumulative measurements, they provide opportunities to teach, guide, and foster growth. That’s why many educators see formative practices as a powerful alternative to standardized testing.
By thoughtfully utilizing both types of assessments, schools can address some of the most common arguments against standardized testing and move toward more responsive, student-centered evaluation models.
Fortunately, numerous alternatives to standardized tests can provide more comprehensive and fair assessments of student learning.
A portfolio-based assessment is a curated collection of student work gathered across subjects over time. It might include writing samples, projects, problem-solving tasks, artwork, reflections, and more.
Rather than capturing a single moment of performance, portfolios highlight growth, achievement patterns, and individual learning journeys. Portfolio-based assessments:
Performance-based assessment (PBA) is an approach that asks students to apply their knowledge in real-world ways. With this alternative to standardized testing, students actively demonstrate learning and higher-order thinking by solving complex problems, creating products, or participating in meaningful activities. PBAs:
In student-led conferences, learners take charge of presenting their academic progress to teachers and families through structured reflection and self-assessment. This approach:
For this alternative to standardized testing, teachers use the same rubric format at both the beginning and end of a unit to chart student growth. A singular rubric:
Culminating projects are interdisciplinary, long-term projects that center around big ideas or complex questions. These student-led projects integrate learning across subject areas and often address real-world topics. This practice:
Stealth assessment refers to an informal, ongoing evaluation that happens naturally throughout the school day. It can include observational checklists, records of students’ work, digital platforms that track progress in real time, or even noting student participation during class discussions. This method:
Game-based assessment utilizes educational games—digital, physical, or role-based—to evaluate higher-order thinking skills, such as problem-solving, systems thinking, and the ability to give and receive feedback. This alternative test:
Many of Math & Movement’s activities are forms of gamified learning. Check out the example below.
The Hundreds Chart floor mat depicts numbers 1 to 100 in a large, colorful 10×10 grid.
Have students start on 1. The first student rolls the die and moves that many steps forward. Students take turns rolling the die and moving forward until someone reaches 100.
Competency-based progression allows students to advance once they’ve shown mastery of specific concepts, rather than waiting a specific amount of time to move forward. Learning goals are broken into clear, manageable competencies, and students can demonstrate their knowledge in a variety of ways. This alternative for standardized testing:
Trying out alternatives to standardized testing doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start by choosing just one method and using it in a single subject or unit.
As you go, collect feedback from students, families, and colleagues to understand what’s working well and where you can improve. Once you’ve had a chance to refine your approach, you’ll be prepared to expand it across more subjects or grade levels.
If you’re looking to try some movement-based learning strategies, start with our Training Manual. It includes hundreds of ideas that require no additional materials. These exercises are great for adding math practice to breaks or transition times.
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Next, ensure that your alternatives to standardized tests align clearly with the required curriculum standards. This means comparing each assessment to state or district expectations to ensure you’re covering what students are expected to learn.
Math & Movement’s materials and activities are aligned to most state standards, making kinesthetic learning easy to integrate into existing lesson plans and schedules.
Successful alternatives to standardized testing methods also require clear rubrics, which should be shared with students from the beginning. These should outline exactly what is expected of students and how their work will be evaluated. It’s also beneficial to include a self-assessment component.
With some collaboration, teachers can ensure rubrics are used consistently across classrooms.
Whether you’re collecting portfolios, observation notes, or rubric scores, create a consistent method for storing and tracking assessment data.
Make sure your system meets the accountability requirements of your school, district, or state. You’ll also want to prepare different ways to share evidence of student progress with various audiences, including families, administrators, and students themselves.
This is one of the most common arguments against standardized testing, and it’s an important one to address. The truth is, alternatives to standardized tests can actually help students prepare more effectively. They focus on building critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are essential for success on any test.
Students learn to explain their thinking clearly, strengthening understanding across all subjects. Rather than just practicing test-taking strategies, students develop a deeper grasp of concepts, preparing them for tests and lifelong learning.
While this is a valid concern, effective comparison is still possible with alternatives to standardized tests.
When schools use common rubrics to assess student work, it creates consistency across classrooms. Portfolios and projects can also be externally reviewed to ensure fairness and reliability. This shifts the focus from single test scores to overall student growth, offering a more accurate and well-rounded view of learning.
Want to head deeper into the research and results behind Math & Movement? Explore our Program Data page to see how schools across the US are transforming student achievement with our kinesthetic learning strategies.
So while standardized tests are still required at the federal level for public schools, there are many opportunities to supplement them with alternative assessments. When thoughtfully implemented, these alternatives to standardized testing provide rich, actionable data that support continuous learning, equity, and student success.
Many students are kinesthetic learners, understanding best when they can move, touch, and physically interact with ideas. Unfortunately, traditional standardized tests rarely support this learning style. Sitting still, filling out bubbles, and working with symbols on paper often puts these learners at a disadvantage.
Movement-based learning, on the other hand, taps into how students naturally learn. In fact, physical movement increases blood flow to the brain, boosting focus, memory, and overall cognitive performance. When students engage multiple senses, they create stronger neural connections that make lessons stick.
Movement also helps turn abstract concepts into concrete experiences. For example, stepping along a number line or jumping out counting patterns can make complex ideas easier to grasp. At the same time, physical activity lowers stress hormones, helping students feel calmer and more ready to learn.
As schools navigate standardized testing problems, Math & Movement offers a wide range of tools to support your alternative assessment strategies. Schools can start small, align with standards, and gradually implement these alternative methods alongside required assessments.
With Math & Movement, you’re nurturing confidence, connection, and lifelong learning. Explore our Whole School and Classroom Kits and see how they can support your school’s assessment goals.
Suzy Koontz, CEO and Founder of Math & Movement, has spent over 25 years helping students achieve academic success. She has created over 200 kinesthetic teaching tools adopted by schools nationwide and has authored over 20 books. As a sought-after national presenter, Suzy shares how movement can transform the way students learn.
Movement isn't just for recess
Want to get started with movement-based learning right now? Enter your email to get our training manual with over 250 active math movements. No materials necessary!
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