If He’s So Important, Why Haven’t We Heard of Him? « The Core Knowledge Blog

If He’s So Important, Why Haven’t We Heard of Him? « The Core Knowledge Blog:

If He’s So Important, Why Haven’t We Heard of Him?

by E. D. Hirsch, Jr.
January 9th, 2013

Tags: Common Core State Standards, Samuel Messick, standardized tests
Posted in Assessment and Testing, Education Practice, Education Theory, Educational Policy, Research and Reports | No Comments »

In Praise of Samuel Messick 1931–1998

Everyone who is anyone in the field of testing actually has heard of Samuel Messick.  The American Psychological Association has instituted a prestigious annual scientific awardin his name, honouring his important work in the theory of test validity.   I want to devote this, my first-ever blog post, to one of his seminal insights about testing.   It’s arguable that his insight is critical for the future effectiveness of American education.

My logic goes this way:   Every knowledgeable teacher and policy maker knows that tests, not standards, have the greater influence on what principals and teachers do in the