xz40\doc\web\2000\04\trusty.txt From: Michelle Trusty-Murphy [mailto:5alive@PYRAMID.NET] Sent: Tuesday, April 18, 2000 1:04 AM To: ARN-L@LISTS.CUA.EDU Subject: Re: reverse HST in Nevada Chuck, Yes, I am very interested in reversing the "high-stakes" portion of this exam. I think that educational reform and accountability should not be on the back of children--especially disabled, minority, and economically disadvantaged children. I also think this idea of educational accountability leaves out accountability on the side of the test--high stakes examinations, as you well know from your research, do not increase educational opportunities--those tests diminish educational opportunity. In Texas, the children are doing much better on Texas tests, but are doing worse on ACT and SAT tests, etc. This is because the teachers, because they care about the children and the children's future, are teaching to the test. They are no longer teachers, they are professional test preparation experts. This is dangerous!! What happens is that the curriculum is driven by the test rather than the curriculum driving the test. In addition, these tests suck money and resources away from true education in the classroom. We are paying millions of dollars for these tests, and there is no proof that they will do anything for the education of our children. The Nevada test has additional problems: there is no technical manual, and it is not aligned to any standards. These are areas that most of the public needs to be educated on. I want to tread carefully, however. If I or any other group just says "get rid of the test" we will threaten the education "reformers" and their political careers (i.e. Raggio . . . ). I will pursue the high-stakes aspect of the test in four ways: 1) Give the test, but don't keep kids from graduation because of it. Report the test results to parents. If parents are upset about what their children got on the test, they can bring that concern to local boards, principals and teachers. This is local control. This is effective and useful. In doing this, it would also be nice to include an "educational guarantee." If a parent, employer, or student felt they graduated and didn't get the proper educational preparation for a job or school, make the public schools pay for that student's adult education courses to bring them up to their educational potential (this measure is heavily supported by the small business council and has a good political push behind it.) 2) Allow parents to opt their children out of the test. This would put testing into the hands of parents--where it should be!! If a parent thinks the test is a good experience for their child, the kid can take the test. If the parent thinks it is harmful for their child, they can opt them out of it without the child or parent being subject to punitive actions by the school district. 3) Encourage alternative forms of assessment in addition to the test and grades. This may include such things as portfolios (many local districts and schools are doing this anyway), learning records, etc. (Portfolios are also heavily supported by the business community because those type of assessments can be easily adapted to serve kids in school-to-career programs, apprenticeships, and vocational/technical training programs). 4) Argue for the strict interpretation of NRS 389.017. There must be exceptions to the test, and those exceptions are essential to prevention of discrimination against those who shouldn't have to take the test in the first place!! By approaching these items in a careful manner, there is more chance of success than simply stating "dump the test." Nevada has spent too much time, energy, and money developing the test--they are unlikely to simply dump it. But we must fight for the rights of parents, the professionalism of teachers, and the need for flexibility for our students who are interested in pursing vocational/technical/artistic futures rather than university degrees. If these are issues in line with your fight, please include me. I am already planning to pursue these items whether or not I win a position on the State Board of Education. I think these issues are the core of Nevada beliefs. We need to be in charge of our own children, we need to keep education locally directed, and we need to make sure our children are treated fairly and equitably. Michelle -------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the ARN-L list, send command SIGNOFF ARN-L to LISTSERV@LISTS.CUA.EDU.