State test scores improved becuase of easier tests, not more learning: study
Tuesday, July 20th 2010, 4:00 AM
Monaster/News
Scores on state exams skyrocketed from 2007 to 2009, but officals now say that it's not because kids are learning more. Rather, the exams have simply become easier to pass.State exams measuring how well New York students know English and math are getting much easier, a blockbuster new analysis reveals.
The revelation forced state officials to acknowledge yesterday what they've long denied: Skyrocketing test scores don't necessarily mean students are learning more.
"The bar was set too low," Deputy Education Commissioner John King said at a Board of Regents meeting. "But we are changing that now," he pledged.
The analysis was conducted at the state's request by Harvard testing expert Daniel Koretz, who concluded it became easier to pass the exams from 2007 to 2009.
State officials have admitted the exams have grown more predictable and tested
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/education/2010/07/20/2010-07-20_state_test_prob_solved_study_scores_up_cause_exams_got_easier.html?r=ny_local/education#ixzz0uDzppKdg