Panel to Look at Student Tests

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Utah's public school teachers and administrators have one complaint that often rises above even their concern for funding, class size and salary:

"Our kids are over-tested and I think we need to look at something more reasonable and consistent, but still gives the accountability that we need," says State Senator Pat Jones.

Jones is one of 16 policymakers and education officials newly appointed by the Governor to a Blue Ribbon Panel on testing in Utah's public schools. State Superintendent Patti Harrington is the panel's director. She says the group will look for alternatives to the bubble-sheet tests that disrupt class time and yield relatively little information:

"It will be computer-based online assessment," says Harrington. "They are not bubble sheets - they offer more realistic testing scenarios. And they're adaptive."

On adaptive tests, students who do well on the questions are given harder ones to answer. Those who struggle, get easier ones. The result is a more nuanced test score teachers and parents can use to help a child. Harrington says the panel will also look for ways to better-prepare high school students for college.

One plan would give college placement tests like the ACT to all juniors and seniors during class time at the state's expense. Governor Huntsman has asked the Blue Ribbon Panel on Testing to report preliminary recommendations at his annual Education Summit on November 14th.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2008 KCPW