The Testing Trap
Subtitle: How State Writing Assessments Control Learning (Language and Literacy Series (Teachers College Pr))
Publisher: Teachers College Press
Published: April 2002
Language: eng
Format: Paperback
Number of pages: 240
ISBN-13: 9780807742297
Subjects: Examinations & assessment; Evaluation; Educational tests and measurem; Education; Education / Teaching; United States; USA; Research; Testing & Measurement; Composition and exercises; Educational tests and measurements; English language; States
Description: Through interviews with over 300 teachers and administrators, Hillocks examines whether state writing tests in Illinois, Kentucky, Oregon, New York, and Texas actually improve students' ability to express their thinking in writing. Ultimately, Hillocks argues that the majority of existing tests actually have a harmful effect on the way students are taught to write. Hillocks demonstrates how the structure of assessment is actually responsible for the low level of thinking encouraged and reinforced in American classrooms. It is his contention that although politicians call for excellence, the tests that they create, and the formulaic writing they accept as passing, actually point to mediocrity as their true aim. In this way, political objectives are easily achieved but our children suffer the consequences. In addition to providing analyses of assessments that do not encourage good writing, The testing trap contrasts them to those that do. Concluding with practical procedures for examining and evaluating writing assessments, this book is a provocative and essential read for administrators, teachers, policymakers, parents, and all who care about the education of our children.