High Stakes Tests -Lorrie Shepard, UC-Boulder Discussion by: Trudy Samuelson Rhonda Martin Leland Jacobs Dani Ladwig

Research Findings High-stakes testing leads to…  “Test score inflation”  “Curriculum distortion”  Negative effects of working to look good or to do well on the test instead of working to understand and master the material.

Recommendations for Policy Makers  Preserve the integrity of national tests  Evaluate and verify the validity of gains  Scientifically evaluate the consequences of accountability and incentive systems  Recognize and abide by professional standards

Recommendations for Educators  No special teaching to the test  Do teach to the content standards  Alternative evidence of achievement should be shared

Discussion Questions  Have you seen any evidence of political pressure that could lead to test score inflation and curriculum distortion?  Have you seen any evidence of test score inflation and curriculum distortion?  What can we do as professional educators to preserve the integrity of assessment in the current political environment?