8.3 Standardized testing and accountability measures

Standardized testing and accountability measures have become central to education policy in the US. Federal laws like No Child Left Behind and Every Student Succeeds Act mandated annual testing and set performance targets for schools, aiming to improve student achievement and close achievement gaps.

However, high-stakes testing has faced criticism for narrowing curriculum, causing student stress, and potentially biasing results. This has led to resistance movements and exploration of alternative assessment approaches that provide a more holistic view of student learning and growth.

Legislation and Accountability

Federal Education Policies

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• No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) enacted in 2001 mandated annual testing in reading and math for grades 3-8
  • Required states to bring all students to "proficient" level by 2014
  • Implemented sanctions for schools failing to meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)
• Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) replaced NCLB in 2015
  • Maintained annual testing requirements but allowed states more flexibility in setting goals
  • Shifted focus from solely test scores to multiple measures of school quality
• Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) measured schools' improvement toward meeting state academic standards
  • Schools failing to meet AYP faced escalating consequences (tutoring services, staff changes)
  • Criticized for unrealistic expectations and narrow focus on test scores

Assessment Models and Methods

• Value-added models attempt to measure teacher effectiveness based on student test score gains
  • Use complex statistical methods to isolate teacher impact from other factors
  • Controversial due to potential inaccuracies and high-stakes consequences for teachers
• Growth models track individual student progress over time rather than comparing to fixed standards
  • Provide more nuanced view of student and school performance
  • Can account for differences in starting points and learning rates

Testing Issues and Concerns

Criticisms of High-Stakes Testing

• High-stakes testing ties important decisions to test performance (graduation, school funding)
  • Creates pressure on teachers and students to focus heavily on test preparation
  • Can lead to narrowing of curriculum to tested subjects (math, reading) at expense of others (art, music)
• Test bias occurs when test items unfairly advantage or disadvantage certain groups of students
  • Cultural bias in question content or language
  • Socioeconomic bias in access to test preparation resources
• Standardized test preparation can consume significant instructional time
  • Teaching test-taking strategies rather than subject content
  • Practice tests and drills may not promote deeper learning or critical thinking skills

Test Quality and Interpretation

• Test validity refers to whether a test accurately measures what it intends to measure
  • Content validity ensures test items align with curriculum standards
  • Predictive validity examines how well test scores forecast future performance
• Test reliability measures consistency of results across multiple administrations or equivalent forms
  • Internal consistency assesses how well different items on the same test correlate
  • Test-retest reliability compares scores from the same test taken at different times
• Score interpretation requires understanding of statistical concepts (percentiles, standard error)
  • Misinterpretation can lead to inappropriate educational decisions
  • Overemphasis on small score differences that may not be statistically significant

Resistance to Standardized Testing

The Opt-Out Movement

• Opt-out movement involves parents refusing to allow their children to take standardized tests
  • Gained momentum in response to increased testing under NCLB and Common Core standards
  • Particularly strong in states like New York, where high opt-out rates have impacted data validity
• Motivations for opting out include
  • Concerns about test anxiety and stress on students
  • Disagreement with using test scores for teacher evaluations
  • Desire for more authentic assessments and well-rounded education
• Consequences of opting out can include
  • Potential loss of federal funding for schools with low participation rates
  • Incomplete data for measuring school and district performance
  • Challenges in identifying students who need additional support

Alternative Assessment Approaches

• Performance-based assessments evaluate students' ability to apply knowledge in real-world tasks
  • Projects, presentations, or portfolios of work
  • Can provide more comprehensive view of student abilities
• Formative assessments focus on ongoing feedback and improvement rather than final outcomes
  • Quizzes, discussions, or quick checks for understanding
  • Help teachers adjust instruction based on student needs
• Computer-adaptive testing adjusts difficulty based on student responses
  • Can provide more precise measurement of student abilities
  • Reduces testing time and student frustration