Feb 11 2009
Opinion | Replace the WASL but do it right | Seattle Times Newspaper
Opinion | Replace the WASL but do it right | Seattle Times Newspaper
The article linked above is from The Seattle Times and it is about the idea of replacing their state standardized test, the WASL, with online standardized tests. When I read this piece, I kept agreeing over and over. Some of the choice quotes from the piece:
But the bigger validity question is: Does the test make any difference? Are college professors more pleased with students who have passed the test? Are employers? The answer is a resounding, “We don’t know.” States are afraid to ask this question because, if the answer comes up, “No,” they will be seen to have spent millions, even billions, of dollars for nothing. But informal studies by journalists have yet to turn up a positive instance. So forget all the fear-mongering rhetoric that we need these tests in order to compete with China and in the global economy.
These are the kinds of questions that I continue to ask in terms of our state standardized test, the SOL. What difference do these tests really make in terms of these kids’ lives? Do they really make any difference at all, except for states to say that they have X percent passing at Y level? Another quote:
A passing score tells you only how many kids jumped over the barrier you put in their path. It does not tell you how high they jumped.
Yes! This is something I’ve understood for a while now, as do most educators. Yet, most teachers are being judged on what percentage of their class has jumped over the barrier.
Another issue is what about the students that don’t make the passing score of 400 by one point. What if they score 399 and they’re not in the group of passing students? Are they left behind then? Could it be that they just guessed wrong on one question?
Finally, the author wraps it up by laying out the idea (false idea) that testing is something you do after you’re done teaching. Why? Shouldn’t we have assessments that are relevant and meaningful to the student so that they know what they’ve accomplished or where they’re lacking in understanding? Is a test the only way to assess? Of course not.
Read this one. It’s good.
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