Don’t use student test scores to evaluate teachers
Statisticians are warning against using value-added models and student test data to evaluate teachers. Here's another published report.
testing
You'd better get prepared for the new SAT — NOT
Some test prep companies want you to believe they are the only path to high SAT scores. Not true. And what does it matter anyway?
PARCC field test begins
Field tests began today for PARCC, aligned to the Common Core, and challenging kids not only with finding the answers but with defending them.
Catholic supt. incensed over testing changes in Chicago
The head of Catholic schools in Chicago is upset that CPS changed the testing requirements for selective enrollment high schools.
Saucedo Elementary in Chicago plans boycott of ISAT
One elementary school on Chicago's west side has announced that the teachers are refusing to administer the ISAT to their students, in violation of federal law.
Does the PARCC test need to be online?
We analyzed the item types on the PARCC practice tests & found that almost all could be delivered in a paper-and-pencil test. We question the need to upgrade technology at great cost.
A retired teacher wonders about ed doublespeak
We respond to a letter in the Baltimore Sun asking why educators say kids should prepare for harder tests and skip the easier ones because their scores will go down.
Cheating charges churn at a Peoria charter school
It's not clear whether charter school officials outright cheated when they administered the ISAT to special ed students, but irregularities in the data suggest a systemic problem of some sort.
Tenn. student objects to standardization, Common Core
A very eloquent objection to many school reforms sweeping the country was entered onto the record in Knox County, Tenn., by Ethan Young, a student. Our response follows.
NAEP math, reading scores up a little nationwide
The scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, known as the "Nation's Report Card" were released last week, and we have a few details to share.