August 7, 2003
I strongly believe in standardized testing of students because it provides the only hope, however flawed, of comparing the successes and failures of different experiments.
The problem with standardized testing is the perception that it takes away local accountability. It does not. It is the use of test results that has the ability to take away local accountability.
The right way to do standardized testing is to do it on the broadest scale possible -- as many students at as many kinds of schools in as many different places as possible -- but only use the results at a local level. Let the local schools and the parents decide how to interpret the results. For example, if a local decision is made to defer teaching a certain subject for a year or two, low scores in that subject in the intervening grades should raise no alarm. Only local review can consider such factors and glean the most important lessons from the tests.
Let us also not forget the importance of standards for teachers. I generally support unions, but I cannot agree with the teachers' unions in blocking teacher standards. Standards again should be used only as one of many tools for comparing as many teachers as possible, but interpretation of the results must be left to local control. It is fine with me if a school hires a teacher who did badly on some tests, as long as the school and the parents are aware of the test results. There may be other mitigating factors which make this teacher the best choice for the school's situation.
Richard M. Mathews
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