Why We Need a National School Test
Given that Republicans often blow a gasket over any idea that involves the federal goverment interfering with anything that's typically been under the purview of states, it's notable that this article is written by two Republicans. It's also entirely correct -- most states have proven, again and again, that they prefer to dumb down their standards and lower the bar in order to make their numbers look good.
Out of respect for federalism and mistrust of Washington, much of the GOP has expected individual states to set their own academic standards and devise their own tests and accountability systems. That was the approach of the No Child Left Behind Act -- which moved as boldly as it could while still achieving bipartisan support. It sounds good, but it is working badly. A new Fordham Foundation report shows that most states have deployed mediocre standards, and there's increasing evidence that some are playing games with their tests and accountability systems.Take Tennessee, for example. It reports to its residents that a whopping 87 percent of its fourth-graders are "proficient" in reading. Yet the National Assessment of Educational Progress reports that the number is more like 27 percent.
----------------------
Why We Need a National School Test
By William J. Bennett and Rod Paige
Thursday, September 21, 2006; A25
We need to find better and more efficient ways to produce an educated population and close the achievement gaps in our education system. Americans do ultimately get themselves educated -- at work, after school, online, in adulthood -- but a lot of time and money are wasted in the process.
posted by Whitney Tilson at 11:43 PM
<< Home