Delaware Student Testing Program (DSTP) Informational Meeting and Public Forum Organized by Advocates for Children’s Education (ACE) February 12, 2003

What is ACE? Advocates for Children’s Education (ACE) is a grassroots group of parents and citizens who are concerned with the DSTP testing. Our purpose tonight is to:  Provide information on the DSTP  Communicate to parents our concerns about the DSTP  Encourage parents to contact their legislators and speak out. Parents CAN make a difference!

high standards for education the belief that the DSTP has good intentions for raising educational standards for students in Delaware and recognizes the hard work of educators and legislators for what they are doing to encourage learning in schools ACE supports

the use of one single test score to judge a student’s performance for the year the use of one single test score to determine the type of diploma a student receives in High School Over-reliance and misuse of the DSTP test scores to make high-stakes decisions about our children ACE does NOT support

-Is part of Delaware’s Student Accountability Law -Delaware’s answer to the new federal law “No Child Left Behind Act of 2001” -Goes above and beyond the federal law by attaching penalties for students who fail to do well on the test …. “HIGH-STAKES” The DSTP Test

Concerns with the DSTP The specifics of the DSTP test itself How the DSTP is being used The unintended effects of high-stakes testing

A test is called high-stakes when it is used to make major decisions about a student based on the results of the test. The DSTP is a high-stakes test because under the law: - the DSTP score alone can send a child to summer school - the DSTP score alone determines the type of diploma a student receives What is a high-stakes test?

-Students in grades 3 and 5 who score a 0 or a 1 in Reading test must go to summer school. -8 th graders who score a 0 or a 1 in Reading and/or Math must go to summer school. -In high school, a student’s DSTP score in Reading, Math, and Writing determines the type of diploma he/she receives. What are the high-stakes consequences?

National Research Council Report Basic Principles of Appropriate Test Use for Educational Decisions Test Validity – The important thing about a test is not its validity, but its validity when used for a specific purpose Tests are not perfect – No single test score can be considered a definitive measure of a student’s knowledge Decisions based on test scores alone – An educational decision that will have a major impact on a test taker should not be made solely or automatically on the basis of a single test score. Bad decisions – Neither a test score nor any other kind of information can justify a bad decision

History of the DSTP

Why oppose high-stakes testing? Tests are not perfect. A child’s test performance on any given day is not perfect. The way tests are scored is not perfect.

Why oppose high-stakes testing? There are good students who may not test well. Unintended consequence: Students who test poorly, but who are otherwise good students, receive consequences based on their low score.

Why oppose high-stakes testing? The higher the stakes, the more schools focus instruction on the tests. Instruction start to look like the tests. Unintended consequence: The DSTP test begins to lead instruction. The test, rather than the learning, becomes the driver for instruction. Kids are taught and prepared on how to take a test.

Why oppose high-stakes testing? The higher the stakes, the more schools focus on all teachers and students doing well on the test. Unintended Consequence: Teachers are pressured to cover a year’s worth of work by March. This is stressful for teachers and students alike. Everybody can learn, but not everyone can learn at the same rate. The pressure to do well can have negative effects, especially on children.

Why oppose high-stakes testing? WRITING is not mandated by federal law as a testing requirement, but it is for public school students in Delaware. Unintended Consequence: Writing is an expensive portion of the DSTP test. Delaware education funding is being channeled away to testing companies who are scoring the tests. The tests are not graded by our teachers, but by part-time workers in San Antonio, Texas. Also, scoring is very subjective! Yet, a poor score will carry a penalty.

How does the DSTP impact diplomas? AT PRESENT H.S. DIPLOMA BY 2004 DISTINGUISHED DIPLOMA (Level 4.0 – 5.0) STANDARD DIPLOMA (Level 3.0 – 3.99) BASIC DIPLOMA (Level 2.99 and Below) ONE diploma for all3-Tier Diploma based on DSTP score

Why oppose a 3-tier diploma system? Many high school students with good academic careers may receive low-level diplomas. Unintended consequence: The 3-TIER diploma system will unfairly label public school students, and will affect job opportunities and access to college. The 3-TIER system should be eliminated.

Many high school students may give up because they feel they cannot “measure up” to the standards. Unintended consequence: The 3-TIER diploma system can lead to higher dropout rates. The 3-TIER system should be eliminated.

Beginning with the Graduating class of 2006, DSTP scores in Science and in Social Studies will ALSO BE INCLUDED as a graduation requirement … in addition to MATH, READING, and WRITING Future Graduation Requirements

DSTP Test Samples DSTP test questions cannot be disclosed to the public. However, test samples for Grades 3, 5, 8, and 10 can be found on the DOE website at DSTP questions: Basic Skills Assessment or Aptitude Test?

Grade 3

Parents support public education and want it to work for their children Public dissatisfaction and loss of confidence in the education system may lead some families to - Abandon the public schools - Not support tax levies or referenda AND NOT support legislators who are unresponsive to parental concerns

Use multiple indicators to make important educational decisions rather than one test score Eliminate 3-Tier Diploma system Review of state standards and DSTP by appropriate professionals Ensure that summer school is available for students at all grade levels ACE Goals

Act to change DSTP legislation. Collectively, our voices can be heard. Visit the ACE website at Read related articles Inform your friends and neighbors Write or call Delaware legislators! What can parents do?