Author: FairTest

Massachuetts Teacher Association B-23 Openness in Testing The Massachusetts Teachers Association supports the right of students and/or their parents, where the law applies, to examine tests that the students have taken and their corrected responses. The MTA believes that this right applies to any test administered in public and private schools in Massachusetts, including state-mandated […]

As we enter into a national debate on school improvement and greater public school accountability with a heavy emphasis on testing, educators are concerned that a solitary focus on testing ignores important opportunities to help all students achieve at high levels. Overreliance on testing could have the unintended consequence of hurting more than helping. NEA […]

Press Advisory: October 3, 2000Contact: Julie Woestehoff 312/461-1994 (day) 773/973-5548 (eve) PURE’s 1999 discrimination complaint filed with the U. S. Dept. ofEducation’s Office for Civil Rights results in major overhaul of CPSpolicy, stops 5 year misuse of Iowa test WHAT: Parents United for Responsible Education (PURE) will announce thesuccess of its October, 1999, discrimination complaint […]

for further information: Bob Schaeffer (941) 395-6773 or Monty Neill (857) 350-8207 for use with SAT results, 12 noon EDT, Tuesday, August 29, 2000 Today’s release of SAT averages for the high school class of 2000 deflects attention from the country’s real educational problems and encourages misuse of exam scores, according to FairTest, the National […]

Standardized Minds By Niles Xi-An Lichtenstein, Youth Speaks How can we walk straight When our backs are bent into boxes How can we stand When standards overshadow the individuals How can we create locked down behind wooden desks As future fates rest on the restricted breath of a number two pencil tip So the clock […]

PASSED 6/1/00 BY OEA [Oakland CA Education Association] EXECUTIVE BOARD Whereas standardized tests such as the Stanford 9 do not address the huge economic, social, cultural, and language disparities among the state1s student population, and; Whereas these norm referenced tests are formulated to ensure 50% of test takers score below the 50th percentile, and; Whereas […]

Droppout Numbers in Boston Public Schools 1996-2000 * Students who drop out of Boston’s middle grades make up an increasing proportion of all middle grades dropouts in Massachusetts. In 1995-96, one fifth (20.2%) of the state’s middle grades dropouts came from Boston. In 1999-2000, almost three fifths (58.2%) of the state’s middle grades dropouts came […]

United Educators of San Francisco: February 2000 Delegate Assembly Meeting of the United Educators of San Francisco. UESF is a merged organization and belongs to both AFT and NEA. Whereas California has adopted the Stanford 9 as the essential component of the STAR testing program, and Whereas the STAR testing program is being used for […]

MOTION INTRODUCED BY COALITION FOR EDUCATIONAL JUSTICE THAT OVERWHELMINGLY PASSED UNITED TEACHERS-LOS ANGELES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON FEBRUARY 9, 2000 Whereas the UTLA House of Representatives has already taken a stand against norm-referenced standardized tests in general, and the Stanford 9 test in particular, Whereas norm-referenced tests such as the Stanford 9 are culturally, linguistically, […]

Statement of the Problem Missouri NEA recognizes the need for ongoing comprehensive evaluation of student progress. However, high stakes decisions involving tracking, grade promotion, admission to dual-credit courses and graduation based on a single testing event present major educational and motivational challenges. Additionally, tests do not always measure what they purport to measure. Position While […]