Contrary to media reports of a widespread backlash to state standards and testing,a new survey shows that the American public favors setting rigorous academic standards for students and backing them up with statewide tests linked to high school graduation and grade promotion. Support for such a requirement rises to 81 percent of parents and 87 percent of the general public when students who do not pass are given extra instruction in summer school and then allowed to re-take the test. We have no choice but to make sure that our schools are preparing students for this new reality. The BRT, which for over a decade has been working at the state and national levels to promote higher standards and accountability in public schools,commissioned the survey to assess public attitudes regarding state standards and assessments. Oversamples were conducted in Illinois,New York and Virginia.
Findings mirror the national sample.
The BRT survey also shows parents and the public identify multiple uses of statewide tests. The survey results indicate a need for policies to reinforce common-sense improvements in standards,testing and accountability systems. There is the right amount of standardized testing in high school ,say 48 percent of public school parents and 42 percent of the general public. There is not enough ,say 32 percent of parents and 31 percent of the general public. There is the right amount of standardized testing in elementary and middle school ,say 59 percent of public school parents and 47 percent of the general public.