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Testing for Results: Using Assessment to Measure Effectiveness and Drive Instruction - Tuesday, January 15, 2002

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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.

Guest Panelists Include:

Nancy Blackwell, Principal, Hambrick Middle School, Houston, Texas

Susan Traiman, Director, Education Initiative, The Business Roundtable

Herman Gaither, Superintendent of Beaufort Public Schools , Beaufort, South Carolina

Mike Flanagan, Executive Director, Michigan Association of School Administrators and Advisor to Standard and Poor´s "School Evaluation Services"

Secretary Paige and his guests could explore the following themes:

• How can we improve academic rigor and results in our classrooms?
• What makes data useful?
• How can principals, teachers, and parents to better understand and use data?
• What are the most effective ways that assessment can drive curriculum refinement/development?
• How can test information empower parents to make better decisions for their children’s education?
• What information should parents, teachers, administrators, and policymakers have to make improvements in our educational system?
• What resources are available to build effective accountability systems?