Re: NCLB help!!!!

[Victor Steinbok <Victor.Steinbok@VERIZON.NET>]

At 12:27 PM -0500 03.12.02, Jedoyon@AOL.COM wrote:
> Does anyone have a good enough handle on NCLB to confirm, refute, or
> expound on these statements?  I have a teacher on my list who is
> trying to write a column including the idea that we could scrap WASL
> and use better means to fulfill NCLB.
>
> from the Spokesman-Review:
> "Current state testing forms the baseline by
> which improvement must be measured."
>
> from the teacher:
> "I was under the impression that we were not required by the federal
> mandate to
> continue using the WASL; i.e., other tests could be used to show the required
> improvement."

After all that ping-pong on Bubba, Shrub and the rest of the
characters, let me try to get back to the original question.

It is clear that what is mandated is A test, not necessarily the same
test that the state starts out with. California, Texas and Maryland
have all already changed their instruments (and testing companies)
this year. Most states don't even have full compliance, which
requires testing at every grade level 3-8, plus graduation. And the
legislation allegedly did not include vouchers because, it was said,
the Shrubbery could not get it past the Senate (or anyone else).
Somehow, however, there is this kiss of death to "underperforming"
and "failing" schools, even the ones that are recognized BY THE STATE
(or even the Feds) as being some of the best in the state. So, as
Boston wanted to do with "grade inflation", now the federal school
recognition will be denied if test scores are not sufficient (Boston
considered tying class grades to test scores, but the idea was
quickly scuttled).

Juanita, please, it's not WASL that's your problem. Any mass testing
solution will result in the same problems, because the goals of the
testing process are all wrong. It's education for the sake of
testing, not testing for the sake of education. Tests pass, kids
don't.

       VS-)

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