Dorian Eder wrote: > According to the MN Dept of Education Website, the MN SOLOM, Basic > Skills Test and MN Comprehensive Assessmnets are all required by the > state, both to comply with NCLB and our own state policy. It's my > understanding that MPS also requires the NALT tests, and I have been > told that they do this because it provides the best measure > of progress among students and cohorts, not just a 'snapshot' of what > the kids knew on testing day. So, you are right in that the NALT test is > required in addition to the others, but I think it's the only one. Can > someone from the school board or who works in assessment at MSP answer > this more fully?
The type, frequency, and quality of testing is another discussion. My point was that NCLB is not the only force motivating the testing of students in the public schools. Obviously, the State and the District see value in monitoring the progress of students. I would agree with many parents that testing should be not be too intrusive, but irrationally disparaging testing ignores its benefits. There are many people who would prefer that the performance of the schools not be public knowledge. The major strategy of NCLB is to provide public information which will then motivate educational reform (and it is). I think that it is the responsibility of the MPS to work with the State to try and reduce the number of required tests. It's my suspicion that the MPS use additional tests just for CYA. NCLB left the details of test design up to the States (a big mistake in my opinion), so the content and type of test is flexible. Michael Atherton Prospect Park REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
