The questions below were passed to me by a Facebook friend. They provide a great place to start when trying to get to the bottom of your districts' testing.
Test questions EVERY PARENT needs to ask:
(From a veteran teacher)
For principals:
- How many standardized tests does my child have to take this year?
- Where do these tests originate?
- What is the specific academic purpose for each one?
- How will these tests affect my child's academic future or standing?
- For each test, does the teacher see individual student results and have a chance to adjust individual instruction to help each student?
- Who sees the scores, where will they be recorded, and for what purpose?
- Do the scores become part of my child's record?
- Who in the district instructed you to give these tests?
- How much time do you devote to test preparation? How do you define "test preparation?"
For school superintendents:
- Identify by name and frequency each standardized test your district requires in each grade.
- Explain where these tests originate and, for each, explain its specific academic purpose and the year it started.
- Explain your district's policy on opting out of/refusing standardized tests and cite its legal foundation.
For school board members:
- How do you view the academic purposes for standardized testing?
- Are you familiar with all the standardized tests your district requires, and their academic purposes?
- Are you willing to initiate a parent/teacher review of the use of testing in your district?
- Explain your district's policy on opting out of/refusing standardized tests and cite its legal foundation.
If you can think of more questions to ask, email me at lisafromjackson@yahoo.com