Putting American students to the test

Politicians, polls to increased importance of assessment exams

Politicians and public opinion polls signal the increasing importance being put on assessment tests, despite teachers concerns

(CNN) -- President George W. Bush has proposed math and science testing in all U.S. schools, every year in grades 3 through 8, tying schools’ federal funding to the results. In some states, like Massachusetts, students cannot graduate unless they pass assessment tests.

All states now require students take math and reading tests in at least two grades, and 38 states reward or punish schools districts based on student performance, according to the Education Commission of the States. The National Association of State Boards of Education said states spend $423 million a year on testing.

MORE ON TESTING Software aims to relax pre-test jitters     QUICKVOTE Are teachers being forced to "teach the test" rather than the set curriculum? Yes. Statewide and national assessment tests carry too much weight No. That argument is overblown Sometimes. It depends on the state, school and teacher View Results    ALSO Senate puts Bush education bill to the test Parents organizing boycott of assessment tests Bush insists school testing plan is not racist Survey: Educators worry about 'teaching to test'

"The good news is that they are beginning to show results in the classroom, but the bad news is that the tests are looming too large," Virginia Edwards, editor of Education Week, which published the results of a 50-state survey of teachers feelings on such exams.

The study said about 70 percent of teachers thought instruction emphasizes the tests "far" or "somewhat" too much, forcing them into "teaching to test." The report also said most teachers felt the exams’ increasing importance put undue pressure on students.

"Our concern is that unless states balance the pressures they’re now putting on schools and students with the training and materials needed to do the job, their high expectations won’t be realized," Edwards said.

Recent polls, in addition to Bush’s initiatives, suggest testing is here to stay. A Harris Poll released in March said 87 percent of Americans favor testing students annually in grades 3 through 8 in reading and math -- consistent with Bush’s proposal. Another 78 percent favor making principals and teachers more accountable for how well or badly students do.

"I’ve never had to take a test this important before," said Jason Henriquez, a 17-year-old sophomore at Lowell High School, while prepping for the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) test earlier this month.

"I have been getting more and more nervous every day, and nervous people tend to bomb things. I’m really worried about that."

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The White House
Education Commission of the States
National Association of State Boards of Education
Education Week
U.S. Department of Education

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