Fw: [ARN-state] Thinklink for profit testing -- help!

["Monty Neill" <monty@fairtest.org>]

Bob Peterson asked me to forward this message. If you can help him, please email him directly (post to the list too if you want -but he is not on these two lists- use reply all if you want to send to Bob and to list).

Monty
----- Original Message ----- 
From: REPMilw@aol.com 
To: ARN-state@yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2006 4:51 PM
Subject: [ARN-state] Thinklink for profit testing -- help!


Dear friends,
The Milwaukee Public School has decided to force all third, fourth and 
fifth grade students to take a battery of tests on top of the state 
standardized tests. They are two forty minute tests (reading and 
writing). They are from a for profit company called thinklink. (see 
info below). They are in English only and all students are being made 
to take them.

Does anyone know of any research on these folks in terms of how much 
profit they make off of each test; the negative impact they have had on 
teaching and learning, etc. etc. or any cases were parents and teachers 
have successfully struggled against this regime of testing.

I'd appreciate any information that is available.

thanks,
Bob Peterson
repmilw@aol.com
Fifth grade teacher
Fratney Street School
Editor,
Rethinking Schools

http://www.thinklinklearning.com/index.php

Company Overview

Established in 2000 as a for-profit company by Vanderbilt University, 
ThinkLink learning has been determinedly focused on the use of 
formative assessment to improve K-12 student learning and performance. 
The underlying mission of the company is to bridge the gap from 
university research to classroom practice. ThinkLink cultivates its 
close relationship with Vanderbilt University to remain at the 
forefront of educational research and practice.

ThinkLink has pioneered a unique approach to formative assessments 
using a scientifically research-based continuous improvement model that 
maps diagnostic assessments to each state’s high stakes test. ThinkLink 
Learning’s Predictive Assessment Series assesses student progress 
toward meeting state standards for reading/ language arts, math, 
science, and social studies. The tests are preconfigured and analyzed 
by ThinkLink experts to provide teachers the prediction of mastery, 
proficiency, and adequate yearly progress (AYP) that is so critical to 
monitoring student progress toward state mandated goals. The benchmark 
tests are administered in the fall, winter, and spring. Each test is 
carefully constructed to mirror and match the state test.

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