RE: Exemptions to STAR and other standardized testing

Peter:

"...assessment reflect the system the best it can ..

but seriously, what do the test result show:
- quality of teacher,
- socio-economic background od pupil,
- effectivness approach (such as phonics vs WL),
- skill of publisher
- to what degree teacher was 'teaching to the test'
- or what?"

None of the above! State assessment shows what the student can do, not how he got there. Calif. tries NOT to mandate HOW to teach, except in extreme cases when there is *clear* research showing what works and what does not, or when using proven harmful methods borders on malpractice.

"Did anyone ever made an analysis of variance or some other attempt to critically evaluate and use the data?"
 
The assessment, when coupled with *additional* data about the process of teaching and other possible influences (SES, mobility, etc.) instructs research and policy. That how, for example, not using phonics can be shown to be damaging to large sections of population. But this is beyond the scope here.

What Calif. has chosen instead is just to measure the success of various schools, and put the data in front of the public. The assumption was that this will force failing schools to look for a solution. Certainly a good first step. And certainly seems to work :-)