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12/29/2002 03:32:00 PM | Brad Plumer From the cross to the class Today's Denver Post (sorry, no link, got a brontosaurus computer and have to read printed newspapers, alas) reports on a study concluding that among states that have implemented rigorous standardized testing, dropout rates have risen, SAT scores have dropped, and AP performance has sagged. Now, this study isn't overly informative becuase it looks at the standardized test states as an aggregate. For instance, 62% of states with tests have seen dropout rates increased. What about the other 38%? Are standardized tests helping here? And why? Anyways, back to privatized education. Would private schools end up depending on standardized tests as a way of raising their profile, recruiting top students and turning a profit? In theory, if school choice was as mobile as it should be, standardized tests alone wouldn't cut it. (Smart) parents would have no trouble looking at dropout rates, SAT scores, college placement, AP performances. I think those five factors, as well as classroom size, can help indicate the quality of a school. But are these good factors? AP performance, college placement and SAT scores only measure relatively high-ability students (which is an important consideration, but not the only one). And a school shouldn't necessarily be punished for dropout rates-- for instance, Columbine elementary school has massive dropout rates because of the high Mexican population who pull their kids out of school to go home when work is over (although I hear they're changing the school schedule to accomodate this). It seems that, in theory, a good standardized test score would be the best indicator of the overall quality of a school. But apparently it's not working. Is the test concept completely hopeless? Or do these tests need revamping? We always hear about the wonderful education in Japan and South Korea, countries which test their kids until they bleed out the ears. But more and more students are dropping out in Japan, cracking under the pressure, clamoring for a more "creative" approach to learning. Haven't given this issue much thought, and I'm sure I'm missing much, so... fire away. perma link |
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