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Shaky start on SOL reform
Posted by: SOL reform ()
Date: July 22, 2014 06:45AM

Shaky start on SOL reform
http://www.fairfaxtimes.com/article/20140718/OPINION/140719306/1065/shaky-start-on-sol-reform&template=fairfaxTimes

After nearly 20 years, Virginia’s oft-criticized standardized testing system is getting a makeover.

That process officially began in April, when Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) signed a bill that reduced the number of state standardized tests, better known as Standards of Learning (SOL) exams, that elementary and middle school students have to take from 22 to 17.

Although five tests — third-grade history and science; fifth-grade writing and history (pre- and post-Civil War) — are being eliminated, school districts in Virginia must develop alternative assessments for the subjects that will be excluded from the state assessment program. In hopes of a smooth transition, a statewide Standards of Learning Innovation Committee comprised of 37 educators, parents, school board members, school administrators and state legislators huddled in Richmond earlier this week. The committee eventually will recommend further changes to the General Assembly and state Board of Education, as well as provide direction for the new project-based assessments.

The good news is Fairfax and other school districts across Virginia now have a chance to develop and administer relevant, innovative assessments to their students. Done well, the new approach is a victory for both teachers and students. Teachers will benefit from greater creative license within their classrooms while still holding students accountable for mastery of subject material.

For students, it likely means fewer multiple-choice questions and greater emphasis on written responses and work portfolios that better assess critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of subject matter.

The bad news is that the General Assembly didn’t give Virginia’s cash-strapped school systems a single penny to develop these new assessment tests and train teachers to administer them. Instead of taking the $2.9 million saved in testing cutbacks and re-investing it in teacher training, state lawmakers cut the funding altogether.

History tells us that it’s healthy to shake things up when needed. Through the years, many states — and countries — have introduced academic reforms that impacted teachers, textbooks, tests and training. History also tells us that major reform initiatives tend to go better when ideas are accompanied by investment and resources.

Revamping a decades-old standardized testing system isn’t easy or inexpensive, and dumping the responsibility off on school systems that don’t have the resources or expertise to deal with it seems short-sighted on more than a few levels.

Perhaps the SOL committee’s first order of business should be reminding the General Assembly that there’s no such thing as a free lunch. If meaningful change is the goal, meaningful investment is required.

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Re: Shaky start on SOL reform
Posted by: YEP YEP ()
Date: July 23, 2014 08:49AM

Keep dumbing down the tests as these retards get even dumber. Nice job America

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Re: Shaky start on SOL reform
Posted by: johnny ringo ()
Date: July 23, 2014 09:12AM

Pretty soon the test will simply be, "can you fog this? You pass."

54701.jpg

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