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Tag Archives: testing
Has Testing Reached A Tipping Point?
It wasn’t that long ago that suggesting America’s schools had become test-obsessed was a lonely endeavor. Although organizations like FairTest and campaigns like Time Out From Testinghave been decrying the flawed logic behind high-stakes tests for years, the reality is that for the past decade, many of us kept our complaints reserved for the privacy of the parking lot
People vented. Policymakers nodded. And absent any real noise, the tests continued.
When it comes to a longer school day, something’s gotta give
Now that five states are planning to add 300 hours of class time in an effort to close the achievement gap and re-imagine the school day, I can only come to one conclusion: Something’s got to give. Continue reading . . .
E Pluribus Pluribus: Is Differentiated Instruction Possible?
It’s not even Noon, and nine-year-old Harvey is already back on the floor.
His three tablemates, their efforts at independent reading on hold, watch and wait for Ms. Serber to arrive and restore order. Harvey’s pear-shaped body writhes on the floor, animated by neither malice nor mischief. He chews absent-mindedly on his silver necklace and gazes at the ceiling until she arrives.
We Need a New Set of “Words, Words, Words”
On the radio this morning, I heard three different stories about public education reform. In each story, I heard the same three words — data, testing, and accountability.
Before I get any more depressed about how uninspiring this language makes me feel, I have a proposal to make: let’s stop the madness and start identifying some new words that can more accurately describe the changes we seek for children.
Categories: Leadership, Learning, Organizational Change
Tags: hamlet, language, Learning, testing, words
4 CommentsThe Testing Carousel Goes Round and Round . . .
Today’s Washington Post reports that the test scores of elementary school kids slipped this year after two successive years of growth, “a setback to Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee as she seeks to overhaul the city’s schools.” No doubt, this news is being used by Rhee’s critics to point out that her particular brand of reform [...]
Categories: Assessment, Leadership, Learning
Tags: balanced scorecard, Learning, michelle rhee, test scores, testing
2 CommentsMore Tests on the Way in DC?
In yesterday’s Washington Post, reporter Bill Turque wrote that Michelle Rhee is seeking an outside contractor to help dramatically expand DCPS’ use of standardized tests, so that every grade from K through 12 will have some form of assessment to measure student progress and teacher effectiveness. Is this what happens when we pray too long [...]
Categories: Assessment, Leadership, Learning
Tags: balanced scorecard, DCPS, Learning, michelle rhee, testing, thurgood marshall academy
1 Comment