Open Left

Why School Kids Need Less Testing (jeffbinnc)

Guest blogging at WaPO, Lisa Guisbond and Monty Neill of FairTest explain why Obama's blueprint for education reform still relies too much on standardized tests. Money graph:
"The data from annual state testing, on the other hand, is just not that useful for improving instruction. For all the talk of 'data-driven education'--and there is a lot of talk--by the time teachers receive the results of spring testing, usually the next fall, it's too late to respond efficiently and effectively to their students' needs."
(h-t: ASCD SmartBrief)

Right

This goes back to Edwards Demming, really. Your data-driven quality-control efforts are only as good as your understanding of the measurement process. If you don't understand it, you can easily make things much worse, by correcting phantoms and creating much greater fluctuations in quality than the variations you initially set out to control.

He learned this in the 1930s, btw.

While working for the government.

In in the New Deal.

"You know what they say -- those of us who fail history... doomed to repeat it in summer school." -- Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Season 6, Episode 3

by: Paul Rosenberg @ Mon Mar 29, 2010 at 14:41:20 PM CDT

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Interesting

I read some idea recently that would address this problem by providing instant feedback during the full year. I'll see if I can find that...

:-)

by: Mark Matson @ Mon Mar 29, 2010 at 14:45:45 PM CDT

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Guest Blog

On another note, I assume these two won't be invited back to guest blog at ~~Kaplan's editorial branch~~ The Washington Post.

by: Mark Matson @ Mon Mar 29, 2010 at 14:49:10 PM CDT

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We'll see.

The post stated that it was the beginning of series of posts on their critique of Obama's blueprint.

by: jeffbinnc @ Mon Mar 29, 2010 at 18:23:54 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Thanks for following these issues!

Our daughter hits public kindergarten this Fall (Seattle). School district controversies are almost impenetrable to new parents. I appreciate your sharing your perspective on the national picture.

The everyday people of the whole earth are ready to run the sphere in peace.

by: richjensen @ Mon Mar 29, 2010 at 17:16:07 PM CDT

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you're welcome

and thanks for reading

by: jeffbinnc @ Mon Mar 29, 2010 at 22:10:54 PM CDT

[ Parent ]