Text 1: Education researcher Dr. Michael Brown supports standardized testing. "Standardized tests provide objective, comparable data across schools and districts," Brown argues. "Without common measures, we cannot identify struggling schools or ensure educational equity."
Text 2: Teacher and author Patricia Gonzalez criticizes standardized testing. "Tests measure a narrow range of skills while ignoring creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking," Gonzalez writes. "Worse, teaching to the test has replaced genuine learning. We're optimizing for metrics while losing sight of education's true purpose."
Based on the texts, which statement best captures the fundamental difference in perspective between Brown and Gonzalez?
Brown focuses on systemic accountability while Gonzalez focuses on educational quality
Brown believes in objective measurement while Gonzalez believes all assessment is subjective
Brown prioritizes urban schools while Gonzalez prioritizes rural schools
Brown wants to eliminate testing while Gonzalez wants to reform it
Correct Answer: A
Choice A is the correct answer. Brown emphasizes tests' role in accountability ("identify struggling schools," "ensure educational equity"—systemic goals). Gonzalez focuses on what tests miss and how test-focused teaching harms learning quality.
- Evidence: Brown values "comparable data" for system oversight; Gonzalez values "creativity, collaboration, critical thinking."
- Reasoning: They prioritize different aspects—systemic measurement vs. educational experience.
- Conclusion: Their fundamental difference is accountability-focused vs. quality-focused perspectives.
Choice B is incorrect because Gonzalez doesn't claim all assessment is subjective. Choice C is incorrect because neither mentions urban or rural schools. Choice D is incorrect because it reverses their positions—Brown supports testing, not elimination.