The approach has a general focus for schools and discussed all elements of education. He took teachers and administrators and they found the material pertinent and specific. They use Texas schools as examples because they have a very similar student population to California. There are other states making significant progress in this area, but they have very different populations from California. In Texas the test questions are provided ot the public following completion of the test.
Kids know what the standards are.
The focus is on strategies. Teachers must have access to assessment tools with quick return of results in order to design student interventions and instruction. Ken would like to have the Pulliam group do a presentation in our area. Tim will look into this possibility. The test will be administered to 9th graders in 2001, but will not be counted for passing or failing.