State moves away from using test scores to assess schools but moves closer to using them for teachers | Get Schooled

State moves away from using test scores to assess schools but moves closer to using them for teachers | Get Schooled:

State moves away from using test scores to assess schools but moves closer to using them for teachers

by Maureen Downey

Since we are talking about standardized testing related to the teacher letter in an earlier blog today, I want to share a good AJC piece by my colleague Nancy Badertscher.
I recommended some experts for the story and am glad to see two of them in the piece.
My only caveat to the views expressed by State School Superintendent John Barge about an over reliance on testing: While Georgia may be de-emphasizing test scores in its assessments of schools, it is about to start emphasizing those same scores in its assessment of teachers.
So, I am not sure we have changed the game plan in any meaningful way.
Here is an excerpt: (Please note that this story is part of the AJC’s new premium site, MyAJC.com, which is free through mid May. Take a look at the full story and the nifty new site.)

John Barge was working in Bartow County Schools when a high school student had a panic attack trying to pass the graduation test and a fourth-grader became so stressed taking the CRCT he drew blood …