The NCLB Act is really the driving force behind the reliance on the PSSA test to measure student performance and school accountability. Presently, this act is being reviewed by our federal government. NCLB could possibly be reauthorized in 2008. There are over 100 advocacy groups that have signed the Joint Statement Organizational Statement. (Joint Organizational Statement, Jan. 2008, Fair Testing, April 2007) This statement provides recommendations to the lawmakers to improve the function of the NCLB. Among other things, the Joint Statement asks for the use of multiple measures of a student’s achievements instead of relying on one all encompassing test. The proposal includes being able to count the student’s show of progress on standardized testing instead of just relying on the achievement of preordained academic standards. There is also a push to test in fewer grades, allow several years for the school improvement plan to show success before punishment would result, generate more family involvement in school, and put more decisions about accountability into the hands of each state rather than the federal government. Other organizations are advocating for similar ideas to be considered in the reauthorization. (Joint Organizational Statement, Jan. 2008, Fair Testing, April 2007)
Thursday, February 14, 2008
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I am Ajay Rai, and while reading about the PSSA and high-stakes testing, I couldn't help but compare it to the ongoing debate of icse vs cbse which is best – which is best. Just like the discussions around NCLB and standardized assessments, the choice between ICSE and CBSE revolves around the best way to evaluate student learning. ICSE is often praised for its detailed, application-based approach, while CBSE is known for its structured and national-level relevance. Similarly, the push for multiple measures in the PSSA debate highlights the need for a more holistic evaluation system rather than relying on a single test. What are your thoughts on finding the right balance in student assessment?
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