Review of high-stakes testing sought

Before the Virginia Board of Education voted yesterday to retain the state's third-grade history exam, several speakers suggested that members use the robust discussion about the possible elimination of that test to start a review of the entire assessment program.

It has been roughly a decade since students began taking Standards of Learning exams, and many changes have been made along the way, including a concentrated move to online testing.

But concerns about "unintended consequences" remain, some educators say, such as a belief that broader learning in some cases takes a back seat to standardized testing.

Now's the time "to fully review and reflect on this whole issue of high-stakes testing," said Kitty Boitnott, president of the Virginia Education Association. "Is it fair to have an 8or 9-year-old deal with such high-stakes tests?"

Through its Web site, the VEA polled its members about cutting out the third-grade test, and of the 815 responses, 57 percent were in favor of eliminating it.

An additional 32 percent opposed eliminating the exam and 10 percent were undecided.

Forty-four percent of people in favor of elimination indicated that they think standardized tests are inappropriate for third grade. Of the members opposed to scrapping the test, 60 percent feared that social studies would then be de-emphasized -- a concern shared by legislators and education advocates who voiced opposition to a proposal to get rid of the test.

Board members yesterday gave the state education department the go-ahead to begin developing a new third-grade history and social-science assessment and to administer the current test until the new one is ready. They also approved weaving content from other SOL subject areas into the third-grade reading test.

The board followed the recommendation of State Superintendent of Instruction Patricia I. Wright. She originally proposed eliminating the third-grade history exam, which covers material in kindergarten to third grade, but withdrew the proposal after bipartisan outcry.

Wright said doing away with the test would save about $380,000 annually and eliminate a test that is not federally mandated.

It cost the state about $35 million to develop, administer, score and report the SOL and alternative tests for the 2007-2008 school year, according to Department of Education spokeswoman Julie Grimes. That does not include state education department personnel costs or any costs incurred by the local school systems.

"Clearly, there is no money available now to implement a new accountability system, but in this time of economic scarcity, there is an opportunity," Salem School Superintendent H. Alan Seibert told the board yesterday.

"Even if you cannot afford to build a new house, you can use your time wisely and begin to design one," he said. "The technology is available, the assessment techniques are proven, and all we need is the resolve."

Contact Olympia Meola at (804) 649-6812 or .