Focus on Standardized Tests
Spring 2003 Vol. 10 No. 3
Understanding Philadelphia's tests
by Eva Travers and Andrew Sparks
Last summer, the School District of Philadelphia announced that it would be using a new standardized test to judge students' academic performance starting in the fall. The new test, the TerraNova, replaced the District's previous test, the SAT-9, which was retired by the testing company. The TerraNova is being given in the fall and spring this school year (and will be only in the spring in future years).
Comments (1)
Download Edition
More in this edition
Looking for lessons from Chicago about promotion, retention
by Ben Herold
Some of the personnel, many of the policies, and much of the attitude that School District CEO Paul Vallas has brought to Philadelphia in recent months have come with him from Chicago.
One key and controversial facet of his program as schools chief in Chicago was introduced here in March before the School Reform Commission -- a grade retention program in which students can be made to repeat a grade if they have low scores on standardized tests.
Comments (2)
Explanations abound for the Black-White test score gap
by Raymond Gunn
Over the years it has been widely reported that a gap persists in standardized test scores between various groups of students. Students from low-income communities tend not to do as well as wealthy students, girls do not perform as well as boys, and students of color do not score as highly as White students.
The gap that spurs the most discussion, however, is the one between Black and White students.
Comments ()
Table of Contents
Theme articles
- New rules for who will be promoted, retained by Paul Socolar
- Understanding Philadelphia's tests by Eva Travers and Andrew Sparks
- Looking for lessons from Chicago about promotion, retention by Ben Herold
- Allegations of test improprieties cropping up across country by Ajuah Helton
- Explanations abound for the Black-White test score gap by Raymond Gunn
- Classroom conflict: teacher priorities vs. test prep by Cristi Alberino
- Anxiety, frustration about tests common among parents, students by Melania Page-Gaither and Amy Rhodes
Guest opinions
- Community organizing creates a new form of accountability by Eva Gold and Elaine Simon
- Tests aren't neutral: the public should have a voice by Amy Stuart
- Preparing our students for the big test by Jolley Bruce Christman
- The SAT I: new test, old problems by Raymond Gunn
- High stakes tests: a harsh agenda for America's children by Paul Wellstone
Other news & features
- Rendell to push for increase in PA funds by Barbara Bloom
- District prepares to invest $1.5 billion for new schools and major renovations
- Schools examine new approaches in disciplining young students by Paul Socolar
- For Edison Schools, there are promises to keep by Paul Socolar
- At last, a plan for high schools
Cartoon
- Spring 2003 cartoon by Eric Joselyn
From our readers
- JROTC's values
- Oppose JROTC
Eye on special education
- Inclusion is required on standardized tests by Janet Stotland and Len Rieser
Activism around the city
- Upcoming conference: 'Education not incarceration'
- ACORN leads effort to support new teachers
- Citizens go to Harrisburg for state funding reform by Brandon Carver
- School stakeholders shape budgets together
Neighborhood Notebook
- A changemaker in South Philadelphia
News in brief
- Report lays out plan on teacher quality, vacancies
- Lancaster schools chief to head Pennsylvania Dept. of Education
- Students read, discuss 'The Price of a Child'
In our opinion
- The stakes are high
En español
- Entendamos los exámenes estandarizados por Eva Travers y Andrew Sparks
SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER
Philly Ed Feed
- Dream job lost, a beloved teacher hopes for return to her school
- Round two of PCAPS forums keeps education reform conversation going
- Council: We've done our part for schools; now Pa. needs to help
- The overlooked crisis of school leadership
- Amid dispute with District, Discovery Charter cuts ribbon to new building
Urban School NewsStories from other cities
Login / Register
