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[quote=Anonymous]People complain about No Child Left Behind, and about he new Common Core PARCC tests coming down the pike, and about the heavy emphasis on high stakes standardized testing.

"Don't we trust the teachers??"

But one reason the tests are actually good (though they could be better) is that they remove pressure from above (the principal) to inflate the grades to make parents happy.

Teachers can assign fluff project after fluff project to be sure the kids receive a passing grade, so parents are happy and so the principal is happy.

But if the kids actually learn the material, the won't pass the final exam, MSA or PARRC test.

Of course this may result in kids passing the class, but not passing the exam.   Which may lead to parents claiming that the MES or PARCC tests are meaningless and not worthwhile, since "my child got a B in the class!  There must be something wrong with the test!   Down with all tests!"

It may very well be the case, however, that there is nothing wrong with the test, and that the teachers have been pressured to pass most of their students, despite knowing full well that the child hasn't mastered the curriculum.

This is one reason I would encourage parents not to be so quick to disparage the use of standardized, grade level content exams, so called "high stakes" exams.

In fact it might be good to make them even MORE high-stakes.   You don't pass the final, you don't pass the course.

Evaluate teachers on how accurately they communicate with parents of failing kids that their children are in danger of failing.[/quote]

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