Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, called the new Common Core tests an ” absolute game-changer in public education.” The Washington Post looks beyond the rhetoric and finds that there is not much substance to the claim he makes.
1. Myth: Common Core tests will be much better than current exams, with many items measuring higher-order skills.
Reality: The new tests will largely consist of the same old multiple-choice questions.
2. Myth: Adoption of Common Core exams will end No Child Left Behind testing overkill.
Reality: Under Common Core, there will be many more tests and the same misuses.3. Myth: New multi-state assessments will save taxpayers money.
Reality: Test costs will increase for most states. Schools will spend even more for computer infrastructure upgrades.4. Myth: New assessment consortia will actually design the tests rather than well-known test manufacturers who have made mistakes in the past.
Reality: The same profit-driven companies, including Pearson, Educational Testing Service and CTB/McGraw-Hill, are producing the tests. These firms have long histories of mistakes. The multinational Pearson, for example, has been responsible for poor-quality items, scoring errors, computer system crashes and missed deadlines. Still, Pearson shared $23 million in contracts to design the first 18,000 PARCC test items.
5. Myth: Common Core assessments are designed to meet the needs of all students.
Reality: Not yet. The new tests could put students with disabilities and English-language learners at risk.
6. Myth: Common Core “proficiency” is an objective measure of college- and career-readiness.
Reality: Proficiency levels on Common Core tests are subjective, like all performance levels.
7. Myth: States have to implement the Common Core assessments.
Reality: No, they don’t.
The full Washington Post article goes into greater detail for their answers. it is well worth the read.
Call your state lawmakers in both the Michigan House and the Michigan Senate and tell them to stop believing the hype that this will improve Michigan schools. Tell them to Stop Common Core and the Smarter Balanced Assessments. Call today!