Re: CTA President on state assessment system

[kber <kber@EARTHLINK.NET>]

Karen Canty wrote:

> George,
>
> It may be improbable, but not impossible.  In one grade level (7th, if I
> remember correctly) in a small, upper middle class school district near
> us,
> 100% of the students scored above average in the language arts section.
> They have been trying to explain to their parents, since then, why they
> have not been able to duplicate that feat!!!!
>
> Karen
>

It can happen on criterion-referenced tests as well.

Virginia's Standards of Learning tests are given to all hs students.  Those at
the very elite Thomas Jefferson HS (admission by competitive exam only) usually
all pass with superior scores tests for which schools aroudn the state are not
considered staisfactory unless 70% of their students pass with cut scores that
can be less than 55%.  My guess is if percentile scores were issued, TJ kids
would all be well bove 70% on most of these tests.  And I'm sure that if they
were measured on norm-referended tests they'd all be well-above average.

But heck, I once did an SAT prep class with as I remember 12 kids out of TJ.
Coming in, none of them had a total SAT under 1300, and several were already
over 1400, but trying get at least 1500 to compte with their classmates.  So
what the heck, any normal test, whether norm or criterion referecned, si no big
deal.


Ken Bernstein

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