Which of the following is a potential negative consequence of high-stakes testing?

High-stakes testing often creates pressure on schools, teachers, and students to perform well on standardized assessments. As a result, educators may feel compelled to concentrate on test content, leading to a narrowed curriculum focus. This means that the breadth of subjects and skills taught may be reduced to primarily those that are tested, potentially sacrificing critical thinking, creativity, and a well-rounded education in favor of test preparation.

While high-stakes assessments can lead to improvements in certain areas, such as increased accountability, the potential downside is that they might limit the educational experience by emphasizing only what is necessary to do well on the tests. This narrowed focus can negatively impact students who may not receive exposure to a more diverse and enriching curriculum that supports broader learning goals.