One of the reasons for proposing national tests in reading and math, according to Administration officials, is because they believe the standards movement has stalled. Furthermore, new assessments are helping to push the button.
Principals prefer performance-based testing for evaluating their programs and reporting to parents.
They also said that less than half of teachers understood norm-referenced test results and less than 20 percent of parents did. Curriculum and state assessments are driving change in Kentucky's schools, according to studies by RAND researchers. Because of the state's reforms, teachers are getting quality professional development. New Standards spent five years developing standards and assessments and now is helping teachers carry out the reforms. According to Lauren Resnick, major designer and researcher for New Standards, the data about the effect of good professional development is just now coming in.