January 2003 — Features
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Facts and Assumptions of Assessment:Technology, The Missing Link
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\par \par Many political leaders at the national, state and local levels have been promoting the value of large-scale assessment. Whenever changes in top government officials occur, education is usually one of the primary focal points. National reports such as \f1\ldblquote A Nation at Risk\rdblquote and \ldblquote What Work Requires of Schools: A SCANS (Secretary\rquote s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills) Report for America 2000\rdblquote brought public attention to education inadequacies for a changing world, as well as set new directions for schools that required major changes for schools and school systems.
\par\par Along with reforming curriculum, assessment and accountability took on a new meaning. Former President Bill Clinton utilized the SCANS Report as a pillar for his education plan while in office. Both Clinton and former U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley argued that voluntary national tests of reading in the fourth grade and mathematics in the eighth grade would have positive consequences for education. During hearings by the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Early Childhood and the Youth and Families, and the Committee on Education and the Workforce, Riley said, \ldblquote [National tests] will have national benchmarks to measure against, as they seek to refine and define state and local standards of excellence. I believe these tests are absolutely essential for the future of American education.\rdblquote
\par\par President George W. Bush, along with U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige, had a similar theme of preparing children for the 21st century workforce. During both presidencies the goal has been to establish programs where no child would be left behind and all would have access to a well-rounded education. At the Summit on the 21st Century Workforce, Paige said that the culture needs to change from supporting educational systems to supporting the needs of children. An assurance of achievement by measuring the success of the students is needed. Paige\rquote s statement is very prolific, but the means of measuring success need to be further developed.
\par\par According to Bush\rquote s No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, states must institute annual testing in grades 3-8 in basic skills to receive federal education money. If, after three years, the school d'es not show progress, federal funds would be cut and given directly to the families for alternative education. Mandated testing is a method to provide statistical information on the performance of a school, but tends to reveal only whether students can recognize or recall information.
\par\par It is important that the government as well as school districts understand the importance of challenging students to be effective performers with the acquired knowledge. According to the SCANS Report (1991): \ldblquote Look beyond your discipline and your classroom to the other courses your students take, to your community, and to the lives of your students outside school. Help your students connect what they learn in class to the world outside.\rdblquote Educators, political forces, administrators, parents, the community and students all want the same thing: individuals who are prepared to be effective citizens in today\rquote s workforce.
