High-Stakes Standardized Tests And Madison Public Schools: Do Recent Reforms Makes Sense For Us?

From Madison Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Scarice:

Education reforms over the past decade have made a significant impact on the educational experiences of our children, some for better, some for worse.  None has been more impactful than the increased reliance on high-stakes standardized tests within state and federal accountability systems.  Most recently, the Connecticut legislature passed a package of reforms that dictate specific teacher and principal evaluation policies.  Within this framework, districts are called on to not only use high stakes tests for district and school accountability, but also for individual teacher and principal evaluations.

In response, the administration of the Madison Public Schools formed a Superintendent's Advisory Council to review the educational research on using high stakes tests in teacher and principal evaluation.  The district sought to determine, not only if the research supported this practice, but also, the impact this practice would have on students and the quality of education.  Would such policies incentivize "teaching to the test" and a narrowing of the curriculum?  Would this legislation increase  levels of anxiety among students and teachers?  Is there sufficient research to support the efficacy of this practice? 

Forty five professional educators in the Madison Public Schools culled through volumes of research and literature to answer these questions.  On December 4, this advisory council will present its findings to the Madison Board of Education in the Brown Middle School Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.  All parents are strongly encouraged to attend.  The implementation of this legislation will have a profound impact on the quality of your child's education.  By attending the meeting on December 4 you can get accurate information to advocate for your child's education.