[gitmo]

I my (private) high school 40 years ago, we were given nationally standardized tests in every subject every semister. It did not affect our grades, but it affected the teacher's prospects for raises.

They're doing that in NC public schools, as well. It takes away some of the intimidation factor of standardized tests, and it helps judge how well the students are learning the materials.

Standardized tests shouldn't be the end-all of education. When I was in high school, I scored the top scores regionally on a couple of standardized tests in Math and Biology. But it really wasn't my knowledge of these disciplines, it was my ability to decipher the tests. The answers to the questions were embedded in the tests, you just had to know how to discern them.

I think standardized testing is a way to pull up the effectiveness of mediocre teachers, but tends to limit the effectiveness of good teachers. Unfortunately, in many public schools in our nation, there are so many of the former that this solution becomes preferable.

[js1138]

But it really wasn't my knowledge of these disciplines, it was my ability to decipher the tests.

Yup. I am a wiz at multiple choice. My only real talent. The only time it ever helped was when I got drafted in 1967. Probably saved my life.