NPE Stories: Michelle Strater Gunderson on standardized testing
I remember watching my fourth grade students at Goudy Elementary (Uptown, Chicago) take the state reading test the year my twin daughters were also in fourth grade. I knew that Kate and Sarah were going to score off the charts on this test. Were my daughters brilliant? No — they were middle class, spoke English at home, were read to constantly, self-confident, well fed, and loved.
Here’s what was on the Illinois fourth grade test in 1997. First there was a long passage to read about going to Starved Rock State Park on a hike. Score! As a family, we love visiting state parks and go to Starved Rock often to hike and escape city life. The next long passage was one of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s diary entries. Bingo! My girls read every word Laura Ingalls Wilder ever published, and we had visited a mid- 19th century farm re-enactment the summer before.
It was if the test was written for my daughters. And guess what? It was.
Reading research tells us that one of the most important indicators of reading comprehension ability is a
Here’s what was on the Illinois fourth grade test in 1997. First there was a long passage to read about going to Starved Rock State Park on a hike. Score! As a family, we love visiting state parks and go to Starved Rock often to hike and escape city life. The next long passage was one of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s diary entries. Bingo! My girls read every word Laura Ingalls Wilder ever published, and we had visited a mid- 19th century farm re-enactment the summer before.
It was if the test was written for my daughters. And guess what? It was.
Reading research tells us that one of the most important indicators of reading comprehension ability is a
Tell NPE Your Story
NPE wants to hear from you! We would like to publish real stories about the effects of misguided school reforms on our Friends & Allies. Please share this and send responses to networkforpubliceducation@gmail.com.
Here is this week’s topic:
June 3rd – “Recently there have been major glitches with high stakes testing in Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, and Oklahoma causing enormous issues for students, teachers, parents, and schools. What have been the consequences of testing in your area and/or what has been your experience this year with high stakes testing? Tell us your story.”
Here is this week’s topic:
June 3rd – “Recently there have been major glitches with high stakes testing in Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, and Oklahoma causing enormous issues for students, teachers, parents, and schools. What have been the consequences of testing in your area and/or what has been your experience this year with high stakes testing? Tell us your story.”
