Is NAEP Math Out of Step with the States?
The authors of this publication analyze the possibility that NAEP mathematics assessments may be misaligned to the shifting goals of mathematics education in the United States. Comparing NAEP mathematics standards to both Common Core and non-Common Core state mathematics standards, the authors...
Opt Out: An Examination of Issues
During the past few years, media reports have highlighted an increase in the number of parents who are opting their children out of annual state tests, often called the opt-out movement. In this paper, researcher Randy Bennett examines issues related to the movement including: the amount of time...
Better Tests, Fewer Barriers: Advances in Accessibility through PARCC and Smarter Balanced
As the title implies, this Center for American Progress publication provides an overview of the general movement toward increased accessibility for students with disabilities (SWDs) and English Language Learners (ELLs). The authors present statistics showing a substantial increase in the numbers of...
Teaching Higher: Educators' Perspectives on Common Core Implementation
This study by the Center for Education Policy Research (CEPR) at Harvard University surveyed a representative sample of teachers in five states (Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, and Nevada) as they prepared their students to take the new Common Core-aligned assessments in the spring...
What Are Teachers' and School Leaders' Major Concerns About New K–12 State Tests?
The implementation of new consortia-based tests (Smarter Balanced and PARCC) has created concern among both educators and school leaders about increased test difficulty, score accuracy, technology, and educator readiness to prepare students for the new assessments. In this brief report, the authors...
Common Core State Standards: Assessment Literacy
This website provides a wide range of information on assessments, including an overview of assessment literacy, California’s assessment system, the purposes and uses of assessments, developing assessments, analyzing data, and effective use of assessment results. It is one in a series of ...
Knowing the Score: The Who, What, and Why of Testing
This brief provides information about K–12 testing with the goal of helping parents, educators, policymakers, and others make decisions about testing policies in their community and state. Background information is provided, as well as answers to common questions about K–12 testing, including the...
The Right Trajectory: State Teachers of the Year Compare Former and New State Assessments
From the publisher: "Utilizing research-based methodologies and practices including Evidence Centered Design, Webb’s Depth of Knowledge, and survey instruments designed for this study, we convened two panels to examine six assessment instruments. Each study panel was composed of State and National...