Beware the mirage of ‘percent proficient’
Illinois lowers cut scores, and Nebraska sets a 75% goal. But both highlight the problem: proficiency is whatever a state decides it is.
Assessment & Testing
‘% Proficient’ can distort the student learning story
Behind the 'record gains' headlines, percent proficient tells only part of the story ... and sometimes the wrong one.
Oklahoma is not OK with test scores
Improved test score gains are mostly fiction, experts say. State Supt. Walters is being asked for an explanation.
U.S. News & World Report top high school rankings
The news magazine ranks everything from colleges to hospitals. Some rankings are important; others aren't. But for the record, here's the latest list.
ACT to make science optional this spring
The ACT continues to evolve as one of the nation's eminent college admissions tests: science will be an optional subtest in 2025.
Student declares tests an enemy of modern education
What good are standardized tests anyway? Do they just give corporations profit while impeding the progress of students and teachers in our schools?
Long-term trend scores drop on Nation’s Report Card
Reading and math scores dropped on a national assessment's long-term trend assessment, showing some decline under remote learning.
Now US News ranks elementary, middle schools
A magazine has launched national and state rankings for elementary and middle schools based on tests. Good idea or irrelevant?
Projects reflect real problem solving better than tests
Students using project-based learning in the curriculum retain more compared to students un non-project-based programs.
Md. to administer tests in math, English
Students in Md. will still have to take standardized tests this spring in math and English language arts, following action of the state board.