We are citizens, teachers, administrators, and parents united by our support for public education and by concerns for its future. Recent federal and state reform measures have created an over-emphasis on testing and have turned over public education to private interests. We believe that these reforms threaten the well-being of our children and jeopardize their futures. Our goal is to inform ourselves and to start community discussion about the impact of these measures on our public schools and, more importantly, on our children.
The Costs of
High Stakes Testing
What Informed Citizens
Need to Know about
Standardized Testing in
Our Public Schools
Tests in Indiana
I-READ 3 – mandatory test for all third graders
I-READ K-2 – reading test not mandatory at present
I-STEP+ - language arts math, social studies and/or science tests mandatory for grades 3-8
English 10 ECA – mandatory test for all high school students to graduate
Algebra 1 ECA – mandatory test for all high school students to graduate
Biology 1 ECA – mandatory test for all high school students to graduate
ISTAR and IMAST - tests that replace ISTEP for special needs students
LAS – Links – test for English Language Learners
mCLASS – K-2 assessments in literacy and math
NWEA and Acuity – tests that measure reading, math, and language on the computer several times a year
SRI or AR – reading tests that check comprehension
DRA – developmental reading assessment for K-5
DIBELS – one-on-one assessment to monitor early reading progress
PALS – proficiency aligned learning skills matching state standards
NAEP - test given to a random sample in grades 4, 8 and 12
Check with your child’s school to learn which assessments are given and how much time is dedicated to them.
Cost of Testing
The Indiana Department of Education estimates the cost of testing to be $46,229,751 for the 2012-2013 school year.
This $46,229,751 could be used to:
- repair buildings and infrastructure of schools
- pay the salaries and benefits of at least a thousand teachers
- purchase laptop computers and iPads for most students
Time for Testing
Elementary educators estimate they spend about six weeks of the 36 week school year on test preparation and administration. Tests focus on reading and math, leaving little time for the following:
- Social Studies and Civics
- Art and Music
- Science and Physical Education
For more information about the Common Core, visit Indiana's Common Core Standards: Indiana Department of Education
As parents, educators, and concerned citizens, we think there are a number of questions that should be considered about high stakes testing.
- What do we want children to learn? What do they really need to know?
- Is standardized testing the most effective way to measure student learning?
- What teaching methods are developmentally appropriate to promote learning?
- Should we teach children how to learn, how to think, and how to question?
- Do current policies encourage the education of every child?
- What are the Common Core Standards and how much testing will be involved?
- What are the implications of these standards for your child?
- Should standardized test results be used to evaluate teachers?
- How much money is being spent on standardized tests?
What can you do?
- Attend PTA/PTO meetings
- Enlist PTA/PTO members in a discussion on proposed school reform issues
- Attend local school board meetings
- Write to local and state school board members and to state legislators to express your concerns about school reform legislation
- Follow candidates for public office and let them know your concerns
- “Like” NEIFPE on facebook and follow our blog
- Join Indiana Coalition for Public Education and Hoosiers for Public Education
- VOTE! Register at https://indianavoters.in.gov/
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Click HERE to download a copy of this pamphlet.
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