Quotes are taken from a message written by Dal to Charles on 07/20/96...
DJ>CB> Testing is being cut back, standards are being modified to
DJ>CB> match the prevailing educational fads (some of the testing
DJ>CB> will include cooperative projects - how'd you like to have
DJ>CB> your child's final grade in a course somewhat dependent on
DJ>CB> the work of other children?) and things are sliding out of
DJ>CB> control very quickly.  I am very disappointed.
DJ>
DJ>The trend I notice is that states/districts/schools create their 
DJ>own tests and then pronounce progress on the basis of these 
DJ>tests.  Meanwhile, standardized national test scores are falling.
Although we don't design our own tests, there is an interesting 
phenomenon that occurs even with standardized tests.  A company designs 
a curriculum based test and "norms" it by administering it to kids all 
over the country without students or teachers seeing it in advance.  
Districts like ours purchase the tests, after carefully reviewing to 
make sure it fits in with our curriculum, we give copies of the test to 
the teachers and ask them to "prep" the kids for the test.
A few years later, everyone is scoring above average.  Most 
administrators and guidance counselors do not understand the proper way 
to handle and administer tests of this nature - they just want top-notch 
results.
Chuck Beams
Fidonet - 1:2608/70
cbeams@future.dreamscape.com
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* UniQWK #5290* "Life is full of little surprises."    - Pandora.
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