Stanford 9 is a crock?? Most T or F are usually T?? Date sent: Wed, 18 Mar 1998 17:01:55 -0800 From: Bruce Crawford To: Gayle Cloud Copies to: education-consumers@tricon.net Subject: Re: STAR Gayle, Below your request is a copy of some info I sent to the loop earlier via Jimmy Kilpatrick. I don't think he's had a chance to forward it yet. A few days ago a flyer came in the mail addressed to "Parents of ..." It advised us that our kids would be taking the new mandatory statewide standardized test. The only one of which I am aware that fits that description is Harcourt Brace's Stanford 9. From what my kids told me last night, the tests results are invalid before they're even scored. While I've had courses in statistics and survey preparation, I've never had one in standardized test development. I can't help but believe that what the consultant told the pupils doesn't blow the whole thing out of the water. BC Gayle Cloud wrote: > Friends, > > It seems to me that we talked about this recently on the loop. Is > the new Star test the Stanford 9 and what does anyone know about it. > They're using it here in CA and we need the information quickly. > > Thanks, > > Gayle > EDUCATION CONSUMERS CLEARINGHOUSE Loopsters, Today my kids took California's vaunted new standardized test. Get this. Before the test started, a consultant came around to the classrooms. Here's what he said: 1.) If it is a True-False question, and you aren't sure, pick True. Most T-F questions are T. 2.) If it is a multiple choice question, and you aren't sure, pick the most detailed answer. The correct response is almost always the most detailed one. 3.) If it is a multiple choice question, and the answers all look about the same, pick answer C. The most common correct answer if all look similar is C. Now 'splain sumpun to me, folks. Is this an objective, standardized test, or is this bogus? My kids said that the questions are pathetically easy, but that there are just too many of them for the allotted time period. My ADD son, who is struggling academically, agreed with my honor student daughter on this account. The term gets overused, so I normally refrain from using it, but this, I do believe, deserves the moniker "Outrage!" How many millions are we spending on this sham? Can't count'm all. BTW, the new "standardized" test we are using is from that paragon of academic excellence, Harcourt Brace. BC EDUCATION CONSUMERS CLEARINGHOUSE