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Test Results Improve After 'No Child' Law, Study Finds
The Washington Post ^ | June 25, 2008 | Maria Glod

Posted on 06/25/2008 5:32:32 AM PDT by Amelia

Students are performing better on state reading and math tests since enactment of the landmark No Child Left Behind law six years ago, according to an independent study [by the District-based Center on Education Policy] released yesterday.

[snip]

Because standards vary from state to state, some analysts have questioned the reliability of state tests as a gauge of academic performance.

The study, which included data from 50 states, found that achievement on state reading and math exams has improved in most of them. The trend is largely mirrored on national exams, the study found, although the gains tend to be smaller. One exception was in eighth-grade reading, in which gains on state exams significantly outpaced those on the national test.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: education; nclb; schools; testing
I tend to think that some, if not most, of the gains are due to states "dumbing down" their exams, as shown by the comparisons of state exams to national exams.
1 posted on 06/25/2008 5:32:32 AM PDT by Amelia
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To: Gabz; SoftballMominVA; abclily; aberaussie; albertp; AliVeritas; Amelia; A_perfect_lady; ...

Public Education Ping

This list is for intellectual discussion of articles and issues related to public education (including charter schools) from the preschool to university level. Items more appropriately placed on the “Naughty Teacher” list, “Another reason to Homeschool” list, or of a general public-school-bashing nature will not be pinged.

If you would like to be on or off this list, please freepmail Amelia, Gabz, Shag377, or SoftballMominVa

2 posted on 06/25/2008 5:39:38 AM PDT by Amelia
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To: Amelia
an independent study

A lie designed to lull moderates and inattentive conservatives into believing it.

by the District-based Center on Education Policy

The real truth - no "Center on Anything" that is based in DC is anything but a liberal front group. Take it to the bank.

3 posted on 06/25/2008 5:41:57 AM PDT by Hardastarboard (I have Zero Tolerance for Zero Tolerance policies.)
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To: Amelia
I tend to think that some, if not most, of the gains are due to states "dumbing down" their exams, as shown by the comparisons of state exams to national exams.

Maybe, but not all. In my state of Tennessee, the Gateway Exams for Algebra, English, History, and Science are required for graduation, and they're being revamped to be harder and more relevant.

A small percentage of my students failed the Algebra Gateway, but well over half scored "advanced" so I'm not sure what to think about the changes.

Students that fail these exams do not get a diploma, they get a "certificate of completion" or something like that... unless they manage to pass the exams on a retake.

4 posted on 06/25/2008 6:00:50 AM PDT by TontoKowalski
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To: Hardastarboard
The real truth - no "Center on Anything" that is based in DC is anything but a liberal front group. Take it to the bank.

The Center on Education Policy is a national, independent advocate for public education and for more effective public schools. The Center helps Americans better understand the role of public education in a democracy and the need to improve the academic quality of public schools. We do not represent any special interests. Instead, we try to help citizens make sense of the conflicting opinions and perceptions about public education and create the conditions that will lead to better public schools.

A lie designed to lull moderates and inattentive conservatives into believing it.

I haven't read the entire study, just the press release and this article. So far I still think that most of the gains are due to states manipulating their tests to ensure better scores, although this Center seems more optimistic.

5 posted on 06/25/2008 6:02:37 AM PDT by Amelia
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To: Amelia

I know they changed the cut scores on the GHSGT for Science and English.

Raised it in English and cut it in Science.

But you knew that.:)


6 posted on 06/25/2008 6:09:05 AM PDT by shag377 (Illegitimis nil carborundum sunt!)
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To: Amelia

I don’t see how that can be... The Dems claim it was never funded.


7 posted on 06/25/2008 6:27:31 AM PDT by Brilliant
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To: Amelia
Test Results Improve After 'No Child' Law, Study Finds

This is not Bush's fault.

8 posted on 06/25/2008 7:03:12 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer (The democRATS are near the tipping point.)
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To: Amelia

Are the kids learning more though? I’ve heard a lot of anecdotal evidence around here that teachers are being pushed to teach the test fulltime. That drives up passage rights and gives us kids who can fill out bubble sheets but it doesn’t necessarily mean the kids are coming out any better educated or with any better critical thinking skills.


9 posted on 06/25/2008 7:05:44 AM PDT by DemonDeac
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To: Amelia

They would never do that.


10 posted on 06/25/2008 7:37:45 AM PDT by Mark was here (The earth is bipolar.)
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To: Amelia

ping


11 posted on 06/25/2008 7:47:30 AM PDT by wintertime (Quick find the RAID!)
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To: Amelia
I tend to think that some, if not most, of the gains are due to states "dumbing down" their exams, as shown by the comparisons of state exams to national exams.
12 posted on 06/25/2008 7:53:36 AM PDT by CMAC51
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To: Hardastarboard

I doubt any liberal front-group is going to say that anything Bush did was good.


13 posted on 06/25/2008 7:54:36 AM PDT by MEGoody (Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall cause you to vote against the Democrats.)
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To: Amelia

test


14 posted on 06/25/2008 7:56:41 AM PDT by Dick Bachert
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To: DemonDeac
I’ve heard a lot of anecdotal evidence around here that teachers are being pushed to teach the test fulltime.

I've heard that too, but unless the teachers have a copy of the exact test given and are merely having the kids memorize the answers, the whole teaching the test thing is bull-hockey. (As far as I know, the teachers are not just teaching kids to memorize answers. If they are, they should be fired and the school boards and administrations should be tossed out on their ears.)

15 posted on 06/25/2008 7:57:42 AM PDT by MEGoody (Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall cause you to vote against the Democrats.)
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To: shag377
I know they changed the cut scores on the GHSGT for Science and English. Raised it in English and cut it in Science. But you knew that.:)

Yep, miraculously the science teachers are now doing a better job (or actually, the new standards the state implemented are more effective) and the English teachers still need to work on implementing the new standards!

Amazing, isn't it?

16 posted on 06/25/2008 8:13:36 AM PDT by Amelia
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To: TontoKowalski
A small percentage of my students failed the Algebra Gateway, but well over half scored "advanced" so I'm not sure what to think about the changes.

Did you consider most of your students at least competent, and over half "advanced"?

17 posted on 06/25/2008 12:15:53 PM PDT by Amelia
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To: MEGoody

The tests are formulaic though. They have sample questions, essay rubrics, and know what types of questions will be on it. So they teach them to fill out that type of question whether or not that has any bearing on the real world.


18 posted on 06/25/2008 3:46:58 PM PDT by DemonDeac
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To: DemonDeac
They have sample questions, essay rubrics, and know what types of questions will be on it. So they teach them to fill out that type of question whether or not that has any bearing on the real world.

Sounds to me like they are teaching kids to write essays, read and do math problems. Not sure what you mean by 'whether or not it has any bearing on the real world.'

19 posted on 06/27/2008 12:23:13 PM PDT by MEGoody (Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall cause you to vote against the Democrats.)
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