Tests, Testing, and Genuine School Reform

The critical role of testing in improving student achievementHow do we reliably assess the progress of students?High standards, valid tests and testing, and accountability--the keys to improving America's schoolsThe American school crisis has begun to change the role of testing, and educators are increasingly being held accountable for achievement results. Much research supports the positive and substantial effects of standardized tests, and they clearly merit expanded roles in improving achievement. In Tests, Testing, and Genuine School Reform, Herbert J. Walberg draws on scientific studies of tests and their use to inform citizens, legislators, parents, and educators about the most important new ideas in achievement testing and the steps necessary to develop good tests. In addition, he describes the ways that tests can be best used--including using tests for student incentives and paying teachers for performance, preventing test fraud by students and teachers, and the role of tests in meeting the new state and national standards. In view of the continuing technical and political problems of tests and testing, the last chapter argues that, for accountability, to improve tests and testing, and to prevent fraud, the development, administration, scoring, and reporting test results should be conducted independent of traditional school authorities.The pressing need to improve achievement in American schools is now widely recognized. This book offers some promising research-based solutions.