In Colorado, the number of "conscientious objectors" against standardized testing is on the rise:
[Brentwood Middle School principal John Diebold] said that 10 of the school's 670 students opted out of this year's standardized tests, more than any previous year. He has to honor the parents' right to choose while dealing with the negative affects the decisions have on his school.When a student opts out of the test, the school receives a minus score for that test, which affects the "report card" the school receives from the Colorado Department of Education. Diebold said he uses the test results to gauge what they are doing well and what they need to improve.
"When parents have their kids opt out of the test it's hard to get the total picture of what your school's capabilities are because your whole school is not testing," Diebold said. "There are no legal ramifications, but it wouldn't be something I would advise."
Antoinette Medina is one student who is opting out; her mother was apparently influenced by testing critic Don Perl, who claims the Colorado State Assessment Program exams (CSAP) create a gap between the "haves" who do well, and the "have-nots" who don't. It's odd, isn't it, the way the test itself is seen as the stumbling block, as though if the test were removed, there would no longer be a gap between those who learn basic skills and those who don't. All that would vanish with the test's removal would be an objective way of assessing the amount of material students have learned.
As for whether or not the CSAP items measure learning, I've yet to see the test's critics present any evidence suggesting that the test items are not valid for the purpose for which they're being used. There are plenty of released items online if you'd like to check them out for yourselves.
Posted by kswygert at March 24, 2005 10:57 AM