Topic: Standardized Testing

Surprise: Teachers crave evaluation

A survey of teachers shows that most say student progress can used to evaluate their job performance, but they're wary of using standardized tests. As for tenure? It shouldn't be used to protect ineffective teachers, they say. 

Toddlers to tweens: relearning how to play

Children's play is threatened, say experts who advise that kids – from toddlers to tweens – should be relearning how to play. Roughhousing and fantasy feed development.

Election 101: Where the GOP candidates stand on immigration, abortion and other social issues

Social policies are a defining issue in this, or any, Republican race. With the GOP electorate increasingly focused on social issues in recent decades, their leaders' views have shifted in kind. Take a look at where each of the candidates stand. 

How does Obama want to reshape preschools? Education Department shows its hand.

The Education Department announced the guidelines for its latest Race to the Top competition, which will target preschools. The rules show what President Obama wants to change.

Atlanta cheating scandal: Should educators face jail for 'robbing' kids?

An 800-page report says at least 178 Atlanta teachers and principals cheated to raise student test scores. Some may face jail time, putting a new spin on the phrase 'high-stakes testing.'

US losing its technological edge? No!

There's plenty of room for improvement. But contrary to the rhetoric, the US has plenty of technical workers and American students have not slipped in science, math over the past 15 years, studies show.

Education reform: eight school chiefs to watch in 2011

Education reform will be on many state education agendas across the nation in 2011. The past year saw Republicans elected or appointed to top state education posts in many states. But a bipartisan group of veteran education leaders has also stepped up to call for more dramatic change in how schools operate.

Here’s a sampling of state education leaders to watch:

Linking teachers and student test scores gains some momentum

The use of student test scores in teacher evaluations has been controversial in some places, but a number of school districts are going ahead with the idea.

Race to the Top promises new era of standardized testing

US awards $330 million to two coalitions of states to develop standardized testing as part of its Race to the Top competition; tests to employ computers to measure students' skills.

Obama bends No Child Left Behind learning curve

The No Child Left Behind Act was fundamentally correct in demanding standards and testing of public schools. But the Obama plan would correct its flaws.

Standardized tests are not the answer. I know, I graded them.

While accountability in education is an important goal, it's critical to realize how difficult that might be to pin down.

Shelve the S.A.T?

It's up to colleges to stop the frenzy over the SAT and ACT.

Focus less on the S.A.T., study tells colleges

Exams tied to school curricula may be a viable alternative for admissions assessment, a year-long study says.

Our college is nixing S.A.T. scores

Other measures are a better gauge of ability and help diversity.

Letters to the Editor

Readers write about declining food access and how teachers should prep students for tests.

Good teachers teach to the test

That's because it's eminently sound pedagogy.

Chicago's mixed record on school reform

Bush cites city's gains on sixth anniversary of No Child Left Behind. Critics see uneven results.