U.S. Test Results Show Growth in Math, Not Reading
by Claudio SanchezAll Things Considered, September 25, 2007 · The Education Department's highly anticipated national test scores for 4th- and 8th-graders show modest improvements in math, but flat scores in reading. Many educators have said the 2007 results would, for the first time, show whether No Child Left Behind is having an impact.
The tests show that since 2005, U.S. students have made slight gains in math, and even smaller gains in reading — just one point for 8th-graders.
The results are seemingly little to cheer about for supporters of the law that has pumped billions of extra dollars into the nation's schools since President Bush signed it five years ago.
Under No Child Left Behind, from 2002-2007, reading scores for all groups, except Asian-American students, have remained flat. And although the poorest readers appear to be doing slightly better overall, there's been no significant change in the percentage of students reading at or above grade level.
Only three states — Florida, Hawaii and Maryland — and the District of Columbia registered meaningful gains in reading in both 8th and 4th grades. Thirty states showed no change in either grade.
In a conference call with reporters, U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings put her own spin on the small gains since 2005.
"Obviously we're pleased with the results," Spellings said. "We have work to do, no doubt about it, but it's a very affirming day for the standards and accountability movement."
Spellings also seemed impressed with the modest decrease in the gap between white and black students in reading, a gap that continues to hover at about 30 points.
(I'd just like to point out that her last name is Spellings)
6 comments:
Hopefully I think it is a good test, depending on my scores that I get after taking this Saturday's test. But seriously, I think that the test is not too bad. If it is true that it is weighted as heavily as all of us think, then maybe a little ease on the importance would be nice. It is just another test that shows that along with hours of AP class assignments, we are also able to dedicate hours to studying for the test and hours to extracurricular activities. Maybe it has to do with the fact that in the future everything is going to take hours of hard work. (That is most definitely a sarcastic remark!) And as for the lack of improvement in our 4th and 8th graders, well I think that is actually a good sign considering that everyone is so caught up with technology and TV, why read the newspaper when you can watch ABC news in the morning! So considering I think even less reading is taking place than before, and their scores are remaining the same, that is a strong sign of improvement.
UMM.. I don't think SAT's or any other standardizing tests are "good" because what if one is a very intelligent person who can't take a time restricted test? What if one is a bad test taker? I personally believe that it's ridiculous how colleges consider these test scores for a big portion of their admission. They should also consider other aspects of the applicants other than these test scores. The views for this matter will definitely be different depending on whether the person received a good score or if the person did not.
I think the test is fine. Colleges need a way of determining how "good" someone is at either english or math. Grades in those classes isn't as good of an indicator as a nationwide STANDARD test is. I don't think it's fair that english is considered more important than math is, even though almost anyone who thinks they have a chance of getting into a "good" school knows enough english and math to begin to learn the specifics of a certain profession.
The bottom line is this....the SAT shows how a student performs during 4 measly hours out of the student's ENTIRE academic life. Do I think that this is an accurate measurement of a students capabilities? No. Personally, I think that grades are far more important than SAT scores because one's grades reflect how one performs as a student day in and day out.
I think that the SAT, although imperfect, is a decent measure of a student's intelligence. It was created to test for skills necessary in college, which is obviously something that colleges need to assess. It also rules out variation in the difficulty between classes and schools, which is something that grades fail to do. However, I definately agree that it is taken way too seriously. People who are stressed out, tired or just bad test-takers may have scores that do not accurately represent their abilites. So, although I think it is something that is necessary, I also believe that it is much less important than grades or activities and should be regarded as such.
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