N2P reader Jim Parsons has an op-ed in the Houston Chronicle about the recent TAKS cheating scandals:
Suburban districts like Humble are not exempt from problems. If there is one thing we have learned over the past several years, it is that anything can happen anywhere. We are, however, dedicated to reducing the likelihood of cheating in Humble ISD. But all of the procedures, safeguards and after-the-fact analysis we might employ are not the only keys to preventing test cheating, nor are they the most important.
The most important is perspective, which comes from a proper understanding of the purpose and use of assessment information. Even more important is a district culture that sees testing data as a tool for improvement, and not a final goal.
It is clear that the HISD lost perspective, and its board and top administrators did not understand the proper purpose and use of assessment...
While I support the concept of merit pay for educators, to base a bonus on any single criterion is a mistake. Making that primary criterion the results of the TAKS test proves ignorance of the meaning of test validity and principles of good personnel management.
However, it is not just the money. Texas school districts are under tremendous pressure and unblinking scrutiny by so many people and organizations to improve student performance...
Sometimes it is easy to confuse test scores with learning, just as we often confuse looking good with being good.
Posted by kswygert at February 22, 2005 10:05 AM