Most importantly, schools are learning from these tests and using the results to improve how they teach students. That s how we ll continue to achieve real progress for our schools and our children, Gov. Shaheen said. Our first school report cards, to be released this December, will give us another important tool for helping our schools improve. Parents and communities will be able to see if their schools are making the grade, and schools will have more of the information they need to continue making improvements, Gov. Shaheen said. New Hampshire s assessment tests differ from many national tests.
Most tests measure how a child performs compared to other children.
New Hampshire s test measure whether children know what they should know. For example on New Hampshire assessment tests, students must show they understand what caused the U.S. Civil War and its consequences, not just know when the war took place. Many New Hampshire schools are using the results of the tests to adjust their curriculums and how they teach students. We want to make sure New Hampshire students have the skills and knowledge they need to compete in the economy of the future, Gov. Shaheen said. These assessment tests are an important part of our efforts to make sure our children are gaining that knowledge.