Standardized tests can be unfair to schools

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Standardized Testing Chatboard

Standardized tests can be unfair to schools

by VET

Jun 5, 2011

In my state the method of interpreting ST's changed unfairly in one year.

My school had always been rated 5 on a 1-5 scale and deserved it.

Then the rocket scientists at the state dept of ed changed the rules.

Now, the rating depends on the scores, but MAINLY on the PROGRESS the school makes with the scores from year to year. Some schools who had rated as a 1, made SOME progress(the only way they had to go was UP) and won awards and accolades.

MY school, which had consistently scored in the 5 category, did not raise scores significantly, and was put on a list of poorly performing schools. The kids were already achieving at high levels. DUH!

The local paper(rag) threw the principal and whole school under the bus and reported the poor rating on the front page. TYPICAL! It was a big story, because it was such a change form our usual performance as a Top 5- rated school.

It will be interesting what happens this year. Honestly, I don't k...See More

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VET (all is alleged) Anybody else have testing horror stories?

On 6/05/11, VET wrote: > In my state the method of interpreting ST's changed unfairly > in one year. > > My school had always been rated 5 on a 1-5 scale and > deserved it. > > Then the rocket scientists at the state dept of ed changed > the rules. > > Now, the rating ...See More

Jun 5, 2011

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Jo Since you wrote alleged I will say, if what you say is true, it isn't the standardized test that is the problem but the implementation of it. Once again, this is where the education system fails. I agree, things like this are problems.

On 6/05/11, VET wrote: > In my state the method of interpreting ST's changed unfairly > in one year...See More

Jun 5, 2011

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School Psyc That is very similar to the problem with reporting AYP. Schools that are already at the highest level can't go up, so they are considered failing in that category. This makes no sense.

On 6/05/11, Jo wrote: > Since you wrote alleged I will say, if what you say is true, > it isn't the standardized test that is the problem but the >...See More

Jun 8, 2011

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Michelle On 6/08/11, School Psyc wrote: > That is very similar to the problem with reporting AYP. Schools > that are already at the highest level can't go up, so they are > considered failing in that category. This makes no sense. > > On 6/05/11, Jo wrote: >> Since you wrote alleged I will say, if what you say is true, >> it isn't...See More

Jun 16, 2011

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sci-saxet And if the total pass rate for say....8th math is 95 percent, but a sub-population such as eco-disadv is 78 percent your rating is based on the lowest number!

On 6/16/11, Michelle wrote: > On 6/08/11, School Psyc wrote: >> That is very similar to the problem with reporting AYP. Schools >> that are already at the highest leve...See MoreAnd if the total pass rate for say....8th math is 95 percent, but a sub-population such as eco-disadv is 78 percent your rating is based on the lowest number!

On 6/16/11, Michelle wrote: > On 6/08/11, School Psyc wrote: >> That is very similar to the problem with reporting AYP. Schools >> that are already at the highest level can't go up, so they are >> considered failing in that category. This makes no sense. >> >> On 6/05/11, Jo wrote: >>> Since you wrote alleged I will say, if what you say is true, >>> it isn't the standardized test that is the problem but the >>> implementation of it. Once again, this is where the education >>> system fails. I agree, things like this are problems. >>> >>> On 6/05/11, VET wrote: >>>> In my state the method of interpreting ST's changed unfairly >>>> in one year. >>>> >>>> My school had always been rated 5 on a 1-5 scale and >>>> deserved it. >>>> >>>> Then the rocket scientists at the state dept of ed changed >>>> the rules. >>>> >>>> Now, the rating depends on the scores, but MAINLY on the >>>> PROGRESS the school makes with the scores from year to year. >>>> Some schools who had rated as a 1, made SOME progress(the >>>> only way they had to go was UP) and won awards and accolades. >>>> >>>> MY school, which had consistently scored in the 5 category, >>>> did not raise scores significantly, and was put on a list of >>>> poorly performing schools. The kids were already achieving >>>> at high levels. DUH! >>>> >>>> The local paper(rag) threw the principal and whole school >>>> under the bus and reported the poor rating on the front >>>> page. TYPICAL! It was a big story, because it was such a >>>> change form our usual performance as a Top 5- rated school. >>>> >>>> It will be interesting what happens this year. Honestly, I >>>> don't know what the outcome will be. Our school will not >>>> cheat and teach the test! >>>> > > You are exactly right! There must be an evaluation instrument out > there that is actually valid! Once parents see that a school hasn't > met AYP, they're ready to move their children. AYP doesn't give a > true picture of what is going on at the school.

Jun 17, 2011

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