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Assessing America's Schools
Are America's schools failing? Information often presented as facts on how America's schools compare to international counterparts are filled with misinformation and poorly interpreted data. The reality of how U.S. schools are truly doing is a complex issue that invokes many questions: How are schools to be measured? What are the most important indicators of school success? Are test scores the best way to assess schools? Are U.S. schools falling behind other countries in educating its young people? This ReadySearch™ addresses these questions regarding America's schools.
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The Condition of American Schools
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Education Hell: Rhetoric vs. Reality
Education Hell: Rhetoric vs. Realityseeks to address myths and realities about America's schools. Gerald Bracey address misconceptions about international comparisons and takes on the credo "what can be measured matters." He makes a persuasive case that much of what matters cannot be assessed on a multiple choice test. 2009. http://www.edreadysearch.org/search/item_preview.cfm?assetid=28567 |
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Highlights from the Condition of Education 2009
A yearly report mandated by congress, The Condition of Education, looks at 46 different national indicators of school quality. This Web site provides highlights from the 2009 report. 2009. http://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/press/index.asp |
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Report Finds Achievement Gap Continuing to Narrow
This article reports on a recent analysis by the Center on Education Policy on the achievement gap. 2009. http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2009/10/01/06cep2_ep.h29.html?tkn=NY%5bFbG3W3Q7zUCeWQNJlGdJDoKiRWO7xI0lz |
Test Scores as Measures of Quality
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Sizing Up Test Scores
This article suggests that student progress gains are better ways to evaluate schools than a single test score. However, this type of value-added assessment is complicated and tricky. 2002. http://www.cgp.upenn.edu/pdf/10.pdf |
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Should Achievement Tests be Used to Judge School Quality?
This article reviews a study that questions whether test scores are effective measures of school quality. Opinions of parents and educators are utilized as part of the study. 2000. http://epaa.asu.edu/epaa/v8n46.html |
International Comparisons
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America Scouts Overseas to Boost Education Skills
This article discusses the state of international comparisons in light of the 25th anniversary of A Nation at Risk. 2008. http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2008/04/23/34risk_ep.h27.html |
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The Condition of Education - Special Analysis 2009 - International Assessments
Based on several international comparison studies that the U.S. participated in, this special analysis reviews the results and rankings of how the U.S. fared in math, reading, and science. 2009. http://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/2009/analysis/ |
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Moderated Discussion: 2 Million Minutes
Provides a transcription of a moderated discussion and criticism of the film Two Million Minutes that compares the preparation of high school students in China, India, and the United States. For more information about the film go to: http://www.2mminutes.com/about.asp 2009. http://www.edreadysearch.org/search/item_preview.cfm?assetid=28538 |
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Benchmarking for Success: Ensuring U.S. Students Receive a World-Class Education
Report after report (many of which have been featured in the ERS e-Bulletin) has discussed the ramifications of U.S. schoolchildren's test scores on international assessments, such as the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) or Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). A report from the National Governors Association, the Council of State School Officers, and Achieve, Inc. urges educators and policy makers to use the results of those assessments to better serve America's schools. 2008. http://www.nga.org/Files/pdf/0812BENCHMARKING.PDF |
