Standardized Testing

Colleges Making SAT Optional as Admissions Requirement

Murray, Charles. "Colleges Making SAT Optional as Admissions Requirement." The Education Digest (2007): 1-11. Proquest. 5 Apr. 2008. http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=14&sid=4&srchmode=1&vins

This article rox. It comes from the Education Digest and was published in December 2007. It provides a good opinion to abolish the SAT. It is a summary of credible websites and admission officers and University officials displaying their opinions about its inaccuracy of predicting freshmen in college grades.

By Andrew Hickman

Abolish the SAT

Murary, Charles. "Abolish the SAT." The American Magazine (2007): 1-11. Proquest. 5 Apr. 2008.http://www.american.com/archive/2007/july-august-magazine-contents/abolish-the-sat

A great article that was published in The American Magazine in August 2007. Charles Murray states his opinion about why the SAT should be abolished. He talks about how different economic backgrounds are targeted and it favors wealthier families. He also talks about the inaccuracy of the SAT and how achievement tests and high school GPA are much better predicators of college freshmen's grades.

By Andrew Hickman

The Debate Over Standardized Testing

Boston, Carol. "The Debate Over National Testing." ERIC Digest. 2001. ERIC. 08 Apr. 2008 <http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2sql/content_storage_01/0000019b/80/29/cc/50.pdf>.

A good article that explores both sides of the debate over national testing, but focuses attention on the the negative aspects. Makes some good points about why testing can be considered invalid.

By Lauren Ames

Debate on Ending SAT Gains Ground

Cohen, Patrica. "Debate of Ending SAT Gains Ground." New York Times. 22 Apr. 2008 <http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=3&did=1337905391&SrchMode=1&sid=1&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1207872762&clientId=10553&cfc=1> This article discusses the issue of students who come from low income families vs. students that come from high income families because of the advantage of having higher income to afford test preparation. It also argues that the SAT should be abolished and substituted with subject tests to better evaluate a students success in college.

By Sheridan Jones

Study: GPA Better Reflection of Students

Cohen, Patrica. "Debate of Ending SAT Gains Ground." New York Times. 22 Apr. 2008 <http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=3&did=1337905391&SrchMode=1&sid=1&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1207872762&clientId=10553&cfc=1> Short article, but shows how a students grade point average better reflects a students, mostly minority students potential success in college. Has some good points about the unfairness of the test."

By Sheridan Jones

Newspaper Article

Blankenship, Donna G. "Seattle Teacher Refuses to Give WASL" Spokesmanreview.com. 23 April 2008.This is a short article without much evidence, but it would work as an attention grabbing introduction.

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Why the WASL is so AWFUL!

"Why the WASL is so Awful" 25 Apr. 2008 <http://curewashington.org/WASLinfofinal.pdf> This is a great article explaining why the WASL does not work. It brings up some great points, but you may have to further research them.

By Allyson Powell

Washington State Board of Education

"WASL" <http://www.sbe.wa.gov/faq_pages/WASL.htm> 27 April 2007.This is a great cite that provides questions and answers about the WASL. There is good background information provided here. Good place to start.

By Allyson Powell

So Much for No Child Left Behind

Downing, Margaret. "So Much for No Child Left Behind: School test scores rise as more low-scoring students drop out." Houston Press 10 Apr. 2008. ProQuest. Foley Library, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA. 27 Apr. 2008 <http://www.proquest.com>.

This article is really interesting because it addresses how the pressures to raise test scores have a direct correlation with drop-out rates. It also discusses many other issues that need to be changed with standardized testing.

By Micah Howe

Testing! Testing!

Stanfield, Rochelle L. "Testing! Testing!" National Journal 20 Sep. 1997: 1826-1829. ProQuest. Foley Library, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA. 27 Apr. 2008 <http://www.proquest.com>. A good article that is mostly against testing but gives a few testimonies from pro-testing people; gives lots of political background and argues that when it comes to our kids, we need to ignore political leanings and do what's best for the children.

By Micah Howe

Test Bias: the SAT in College Admissions Process

Woollen, Susan. "Test Bias: the SAT in College Admissions Process." Apr. 2008 <www.whatkidscando.org/featurestories/2008/03_scoring_well/pdf/24-4-Woollen.pdf>. This article has a lot of information about the history and purpose of the SAT and then it focuses on Test Bias.

by Megan Haas

Perils of Standardized Achievement Testing

Haladyna, Thomas M. "Perils of Standardized Achievement Testing." Educational Horizons 85 (2006): 30-43. ERIC. Foley Library, Spokane, WA. 14 Apr. 2008. http://eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=EJ750641&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=EJ750641

This article presents a lot of details about standardized tests in general and does a really good job in evaluating all of the aspects that make standardized testing invalid.

By Lauren Ames

2007 ACT College Readiness Report News Release

"2007 ACT College Readiness Report News Release." The ACT: News. 2008. ACT Inc. 16 Apr. 2008 <http://www.act.org/news/releases/2007/ndr.html>.

This article basically gives a vast amount of facts about the structure, distribution, layout, and value of the ACT. Has a lot of detailed information.

By Lauren Ames

Standardized Testing and Its Victims

Kohn, Alfie. "Standardized Testing and Its Victims." Education Week. Apr. 2008 <http://www.alfiekohn.org/teaching/edweek/staiv.htm>. This article looks at some of the facts of standardized tests and then summarizes why they are unfair and inaccurate.

by Megan Haas

Validity

"Now's the time to test Standardized Tests" The Christian Science Monitor 22 February 2007 Proquest Foley Center Library Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA 1 May 2008.

Validity Study

Dillon, Sam "New Study Finds Gains Since NCLB." The New York Times 6 June 2007 Proquest Foley Center Library Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA 1 May 2008