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GRADING THE GRADERS
Is teacher testing the best way to improve academic achievement? September 30, 1998 |
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NewsHour Backgrounders
Questions asked Questions asked in this forum:
in this forum:
Can the public view these tests? What is the best way to assess teachers' abilities? What is the best allocation of education funds? Who creates the tests, and are they fair? Additional Comments.
September 15, 1998
Massachussets institutes a controversial teacher testing plan.
September 17, 1997
Online NewsHour Forum:two Senators debate national education standards.
September 8, 1997:
Are standardized tests the best route to better grades?
August 12, 1997:
Chicago Public Schools are taking a hard look at the current curriculum.
February 11, 1997:
President Clinton has announced his intentions to create national standards to measure the country's educational system.
February 10, 1997:
President Clinton's State of the Union Speech highlights his goals for education.
Browse the NewsHour's coverage of Education.
Outside Link
The Department of Education
Students are not the only ones being graded these days. In an attempt to improve the quality of education, school districts across the country are testing teachers. The movement reflects a growing national desire to raise academic standards and to hold public schools accountable for student performance.
In a NewsHour report, Linda Darling Hammond, the executive director of the National Commission on Teaching and America's Future, said: "It turns out that the single most important factor in student achievement is the expertise of the teacher." Currently, 43 states require teachers to pass a basic skills test, and 32 states test teachers' knowledge of their subject.
But this Summer, when Massachusetts instigated subject-related tests, the failure rate was so high that it brought into question the practicality of testing teachers and assessing standards. The failure rate among new teachers was an unexpected 59%. (Usually the failure rate is in the 10-30% range.)
Many experts said the test was flawed. Hammond, who has seen tests administrated in other states, said the Massachusetts test was much more difficult than any other and that the passing grade may have been set too high. But the educators who approved the test said it was fair and that it is up to graduate school education programs to improve teacher training.
Because of the test results, many teachers were denied jobs. The controversy comes at a time when schools in Massachusetts, like many schools across the nation, are facing teacher shortages. And school administrators say the need for teachers will become more critical in the near future.
What is your opinion? Should teachers be tested? What can be done to ensure that the standards are fair? And how should schools balance the need for more teachers with the desire for the most qualified teachers?
Your questions are answered by Dr. John Silber, the chancellor of Boston University and chairman of the Massachusetts Board of Education that approved the use of the tests, and by Linda Darling Hammond, the executive director of the National Commission on Teaching and America's Future.
Editor's note:
Linda Darling Hammond was unable to answer the questions by the set deadline. We will post her answers when they come in...
Questions asked
in this forum:Can the public view these tests? What is the best way to assess teachers' abilities? What is the best allocation of education funds? Who creates the tests, and are they fair? Additional Comments.
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