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Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Is there a way Texas can do testing differently? | The Education Front Blog | dallasnews.com

Is there a way Texas can do testing differently? | The Education Front Blog | dallasnews.com:


Is there a way Texas can do testing differently?

Dallas school trustees have yet to approve a petition that basically calls the question on standardized testing in Texas. Some districts already have passed a similar resolution, but a few Dallas trustees have objected.
I am glad they have. Standardized testing has a bad brand name, but I think it's purpose is entirely legitimate: to assess what students know. If they are not learning at grade level, the school can start responding. If schools do not respond adequately over time, the state has the responsibility to intervene. If the state does not respond sufficiently, Washington has the right to step in.
That is the essence of our modern accountability system, and I do not have a problem with those fundamentals.
But I do wonder how testing could be done differently. For example, is it possible to do exams without such