PREPARING FOR HIGH-STAKES TESTING: A REVIEW

Preparing for High-Stakes Testing: A Review

Preparing for High-Stakes Testing: A Review

Introduction

High-stakes tests are examinations used to make critical decisions about examinees and those who work with the examinees. The hallmark of a high-stakes test is that the results are associated with consequences for those connected to the assessment, such as graduates of professional programs, students in public schools, and teachers and administrators in public schools. High-stakes tests contribute to making decisions about examinees and institutions in many societies, including the United States, Germany, Japan, and Singapore. The consequences of such tests include benefits and detriments. Professional organizations offer guidance in the implementation of high-stakes testing programs that, if followed, should result in fewer of the negative consequences currently associated with high-stakes tests. This paper presents review of the article mentioned in the list of references in a concise and comprehensive way.

Preparing for High-Stakes Testing: A Review

Cengiz (2003) mentions under No Child Left Behind (NCLB), high stakes are attached to the tests that are given in each state. Low performance, or a failure to make adequate yearly progress toward the goal of 100% proficient, could require local school districts to expend large amounts of money to improve their students' test scores (Cengiz, 2003). The threat of school closings also exists for low-performing schools, while the possibility of monetary bonuses for high-achieving or greatly improving schools also exists. Because the consequences associated with test scores are not trivial, and the tests have only been in the areas of reading and mathematics, these have become the areas of the school curriculum that have received the most attention once NCLB became law. Other curriculum areas do not receive as much attention as the public desires.

The federal No Child Left Behind legislation (NCLB, Public Law 107-110) provides an example of public ...