Do you have a great lesson plan? Share
your ideas and earn some extra cash.
THE ABCs of TESTING SEASON
LOOKING AHEAD
A new report (PDF) from Public Agenda shows that school constituents increasingly are suspect of testing as a "Johnny-One-Note" approach to school improvement. Today, only 1 in 4 parents would vote for a school board candidate whose main platform was testing.
With public sentiment in flux, how might assessment and measures of school improvement be enriched?
Life Beyond Testing
Policy analyst Christy Guilfoyle of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development says multiple measures of achievement are necessary to create an accurate picture of student learning and school success.
Assessment, Student Confidence and School Success
In this article from Phi Delta Kappan, Richard J. Stiggins questions the notion that intimidation by assessment will lead to more effective schools, and he offers an alternative vision in which we use assessment to build student confidence in the service of school improvement.
Authentic Accountability (PDF)
The National Center for Fair and Open Testing offers this concise 2-page outline of what valuable accountability entails.
Alternatives to Standardized Tests
Bob Peterson of Rethinking Schools and Monty Neill of the National Center for Fair and Open Testing argue that we may not need standardized tests at all and offer a menu of possible alternatives.
Join the Assessment Reform Network ARN works to promote authentic forms of assessment. Find a contact
in your area.
Let's Get It Right!
The American Federation of Teachers supported No Child Left Behind's passage in 2002. Now, the group says it's time for
significant reforms.
