RE: Exemptions to STAR and other standardized testing

Ze'ev,

You mention some of the benefits of reusing the same questions year after year. Would not a disadvantage of this practice be that the alert teachers might make mental (or even written) notes about content, so that their "teaching to the test" produces better and better results over time? Even the most diligent teacher can hardly help but become familiar with the test as time goes by. Which is not to mention the completely unscrupulous -- who might, for instance, photocopy the test booklet. Mr. Dieste mentioned testing irregularities such as erasures and other tampering -- is it such a leap to think that some people, when faced with either the prospect of enormous bonuses (in the case of good test results) or sanctions (in the case of poor results), would resort to doing these things?

Yours truly,
JS Kelly
parent

PS Is your position on the testing board a paid one?