Raising academic standards is an important first step towards improving our schools. We will never know, however, if we are reaching those standards unless we measure student performance. Test score data can help schools, as a whole, to improve. Communities with high standards and challenging tests have teachers and school leaders who use achievement scores to identify specific objectives that their students are—or are not—mastering.
For example, some schools might learn from test scores that they are teaching math effectively but are struggling with teaching writing. This information can help schools decide to spend their money on staff training in effective writing instruction. Test score data allow schools to make decisions based on facts rather than guesses. Teachers in those communities can then focus on filling in the gaps.
The 3 Rs for 21st Century success are quickly becoming Rigor, Relevance and Results.
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