In $32 Million Contract, State Lays Out Some Rules for Its Standardized Tests

[proud2BlibKansan]

Standardized tests in English and math taken by students in New York State are about to become slightly less tricky.

Beginning next spring, a new company, Pearson, will write the standardized tests that the Education Department gives to nearly all third through eighth graders. The department switched to Pearson this year after its contract with another company, CTB/McGraw-Hill, expired.

The department has advised the new company that catch-all answer choices known for tripping up students, like “none of the above” and “all of the above” and already rare in the state’s tests, are now banned.

Mirroring a national trend toward clearer multiple-choice questions, the use of the word “not” to confuse students is also off the table; negatives can be used only when necessary, the contract states. That makes it far less likely that students will confront head-spinners like: “Which of the following words can not be used to describe the tone of this passage?”

more . . . http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/13/nyregion/new-york-in-contract-with-pearson-lays-out-rules-for-state-tests.html?_r=2&ref=nyregion

[roody]

1. Either way, the publishers make a fortune.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. Yes, there's that too

[tinymontgomery]

2. Charlotte NC schools

Charlotte NC schools are going to start testing art and music. I guess if you miss a note you lose 5 points.

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. I'm surprised they can afford it.

[tinymontgomery]

5. Thats what the parents

Thats exactly what the parents and other are saying along with too much testing to begin with.