did your kids school have a pep rally for the DC CAS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe someone who really understands how these tests are developed can answer but I don't think the BAS and CAS should be the same. Isn't the BAS designed to give teachers a clue about where students stand academically - so ideally that test would have content on it for students working at higher academic levels so it would make sense that some of it is harder. So with the BAS you get the baseline data to help teachers identify students that might need more help in school and ideally how to help advanced students excel.

The CAS is testing to make sure students have learned everything they are supposed to learn for their grade level - so it might not have really advanced or super hard questions. If your kids are working at a higher academic level to begin with then they might score advanced on both parts.

An evaluator or scientist should chime in, but that is my understanding of it.

Here's what UVA Prof. Daniel Willingham says.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uONqxysWEk8