Testing (page 2)

Last Thursday, the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) released their annual report of graduation rates and test results.  Again, the 2013-14 results leave us with more questions than answers. In 2012-13 the Common Core standards were taught, and new DPI developed tests were given.  The students performed so…

LAST YEAR the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) developed assessments aligned to the new Common Core Standards.  Even though the tests were given to students spring of 2013, the State Board did not release the extremely low scores until November of 2013. Previously Dr. Terry Stoops expressed…

School districts across North Carolina rejoiced yesterday, as the State Board of Education approved their requests to administer alternatives to the state’s third-grade reading test.  Districts objected to the plan to use state end-of-grade reading tests to fulfill the requirements of the Read to Achieve program. If you…

It’s that time of year again!  The mainstream media will ignore test results from charter schools so that they can bash them in editorials later in the school year. In Part 1, I will examine the composite reading and math scores for grade 3-8.  In Part 2, I will…

Last year, 12.5 percent of black males in grades 3-8 were proficient in reading and math. That is correct – 12.5 percent. The NC Department of Public Instruction (DPI) contends that the state “raised the bar” by implementing more rigorous standards and tests.  They say that these test results…

The NC Department of Public Instruction (DPI) will release state test scores today.  They have spent months working with/on the media and their sundry allies to lay the groundwork for today’s release. Here are a few talking points you will hear this afternoon: Standards are higher. The tests…

An appointed bureaucrat does not necessarily have to answer or listen to the public.  So it is with Dr. John King, Jr., he is appointed by the New York State Board of Regents to serve as New York State Education Commissioner.  Last night, Dr. King ignored  opposition from parents,…

The State Board of Education met yesterday and was asked by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to approve the final academic achievement standards (cut scores) for the new assessments given in the 2012-2013 school year.  These assessments  were aligned to the Common Core Standards, and everyone expected lower…