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January 10, 2003 A recent Arizona State University study says that when states implement high-stakes testing, such as the MN Basic Standards Test, students gradually get better on the high-stakes tests, BUT have poorer performance on other measures of academic achievement.

After adopting high-stakes tests, twice as many states did worse than the national average on college entrance exams such as the SAT and ACT as did better, according to the study. The same stat was true for elementary-school math scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), a big-government exam overseen by the U.S. Department of Education. Fifty-seven percent of the states with the new tests did worse on Advanced Placement scores, while elementary reading scores were split 50-50 (half the states did better, half worse than the national average).

The study's lead author, Audrey Amrein, summarized her findings: "Teachers are focusing so intently on the high-stakes tests that they are neglecting other things that are ultimately more important." Those factors apparently neglected include keeping kids in school at all. After implementing the tests, twice as many states did worse than the national graduation rate as did better--and dropout rates increased in 62% of the states with the tests, while enrollment in GED programs greatly increased.

Manipulating the Numbers

The study asserts that the dropout rate is not increasing just because struggling students get frustrated with the tests and give up...to the contrary, it says that, eager to raise test scores (especially when their pay raises depend on it), unscrupulous administrators pressure failing students into dropping out! Comment: After seeing the crap that the SHS administrators get away with daily, I would not doubt that that is VERY POSSIBLE, if not very likely.

Who Paid for This Study?

Good question. Turns out this research was funded by the National Education Association -- a union that has consistently opposed high stakes testing. The fact that those who funded this study have much to gain from these findings does cast doubt on the accuracy of this study, although according to the AP, an independent panel of researchers at other universities has found the results to be valid. So draw your own conclusions.--Dr. Vinny, South High Sucks.com Founder & Publisher

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