FairTest Reaction: Latest NAEP Results Add To Evidence Of Test-And-Punish Era Failures

for further information:

Dr. Monty Neill (617) 477-9792
Bob Schaeffer (239) 395-6773

for release with NAEP scores, Wednesday, October 28, 2015

NAEP RESULTS ADD TO EVIDENCE OF TEST-AND-PUNISH ERA FAILURES;
FEDERAL ASSESSMENT POLICY NEEDS SUBSTANTIVE OVERHAUL,
NOT JUST RHETORICAL REPOSITIONING

Scores from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) released today “provide more evidence that test-and-punish policies, which have dominated U.S. public schools for the past decade and a half, are an abject failure,” according to the National Center for Fair & Open Testing (FairTest). The new report shows a decline in mathematics performance and generally flat results in reading.

The FairTest statement continued, “Promoters of ‘No Child Left Behind’ and similar test-driven schemes in many states promised significant gains in overall academic achievement. They also said historic performance gaps between racial groups would narrow. According to NAEP, neither desirable result has materialized. In fact, the U.S. is moving in the wrong direction. Rhetorical posturing about the need for assessment reform will not help our students, educators, schools or nation. President Obama, U.S. Department of Education leaders, and Congress need to eliminate counter-productive federal testing mandates now. That will clear the path for implementing assessments that actually help improve teaching and learning.”

Today’s new NAEP trends are consistent with recent results from college admissions tests. Average scores on both the ACT and SAT continue to stagnate while many racial group score gaps are widening.

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