Matthew Di Carlo at the Shanker Institute has a good post about the importance of test security in an era of high-stakes testing.
As long as we have high-stakes testing–which I oppose–we need to guard against cheating.
He points out that the scandal in Atlanta was thoroughly reviewed by independent and well-trained investigators. They got to the bottom of it.
But the other major cheating scandal in D.C. was swept under the rug by officials who wanted to see it disappear.
Di Carlo explains in one of the links in this post that the alleged academic gains under Michelle Rhee’s tenure occurred before she became chancellor and before she implemented any of her reforms. He points out that even those gains were suspect because they are based on proficiency rates of different cohorts of students, not on test scores. Once her reforms were installed, the DC scores and proficiency rates went flat. He finds it annoying that she travels the nation boasting of her great success when her record is so thin that it is invisible.
It is a shame that the nation must now pay for test security (no doubt to the same companies that are reaping rewards writing the tests) to buttress a failed regime of high-stakes testing. More and more money is being diverted from the classroom for accountability, when those who make the decisions at the top are never held accountable.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Whatever happened to TEACHERS assessing their own students through writing, short answer, some multiple choice, presentations and more. We are far more adept at knowing where our students are at than the standardized tests,
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Yes, but hadn’t you heard? We teachers cannot be trusted to teach! (yes, that was sarcasm)
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Test security may: 1) keep prying public eyes off the low quality/content/construction of tests made by an industry seeking profit .AND 2) gin up the “failing schools” narrative which will catch-22 the need for even more tests. Like the tobacco industry being involved in the iron lung business.
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Dan, your #1 reason is SO true. So much of the “security” is exactly for that purpose–no one is supposed to be able to recognize the poor quality of the tests themselves. Funny, though, when it is SO obvious (the “Pineapple Hare” debacle again), that 8th Grade test-takers can spot it! Rest assured, there will be more of that to come.
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Reblogged this on Transparent Christina.
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And let’s not forget about the giant cheating scandal in El Paso, Texas. EPISD has lost the freedom to govern itself; TEA has stepped in now and taken over.
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This is a major problem. For example, with SGP models students have individual score growth rankings every year. If a group of scores for a classroom are subject to inflated scores via cheating, ALL FUTURE TEACHERS WHO “get” those students ( and their prior inflated test scores) will be adversely rated via SGP models. And the ill gotten gains will punish teachers for YEARS!
So, if a third grade classroom has cheating influence, the fourth, fifth and sixth grade teachers of those kids will have lower SGP scores !
Although only one of the problems with test score driven evaluations, this issue alone should give pause to any party who gave a damn about good and honest teachers.
But, you will never hear eduformers like Chris Cerf address this issue because they do not even understand the reforms they promote!
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On the contrary, Galton, they understand their reforms all too well. The so-called reformers initiate churn and disruption, and then use their effects to further justify their agenda, no matter the great harm done.
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Michael,
I respectfully disagree here. Many of the reformers are mercenaries doing a job and thinking they are serving some higher calling. They are foot soldiers in a war on public education they do not even understand.
I think I do understand your point though, I just see it a different way.
Do you think Chris Cerf, or Jebbie consciously want to destroy public education? I may be wrong but I don’t think so. You may be overestimating their intelligence.
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So long as so much is riding on these tests, you’re going to have cheating. The only way to get rid of the cheating is to get rid of the tests (yes, please).
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Wasn’t it New York City that did away with the test erasure analysis when
Bloomberg/Klein took over?
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Yes.
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Jacques,
Yes but remember, the erasure analysis only detected one form of cheating! Other more prevalent forms of cheating are not even considered!
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“Crack down” is the wrong image here. My building has gone crazy, threatening students and teachers with dire consequences if any child is allowed to breathe during high stakes testing (or any testing), but the evidence in actual cheating scandals points up, not down. We need thorough, public investigations of systematic cheating at higher administrative levels.
Then, we need press coverage to expose the public officials who still systematically look the other way, use the corrupted “miracle turnarounds” to push their agenda, and never look back when the blue-ribbon scores turn out to be manufactured.
All the way up to Arne Duncan, the powerful and well connected have participated in cover-ups and glorification of the cheaters.
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Yes, it has been reported here in Hartford CT and nothing happened.
This comment was left on a CT education blog managed by Jon Pelto:
It is happening everywhere and BOE’s don’t want to deal with it and corporate owned media do not want to report it since it won’t fit their privatization agenda. See comment left here re: Hartford, CT and then full link. The so-called reformers gets their stellar reps but all they do is move the shells around:
These are the things that I have seen or heard of in Hartford:
1. When the CMT was administered in Oct in grades 4, 6 & 8, students were put back into grades 3, 5 & 7 until after the test. There was a mini investigation conducted by an assistant supt and the director of assessment.
2. I heard from a former staff member at Simpson-Waverly that the principal there who is now a supt in a nearby system did the same thing.
2. At Bulkeley Lower School students were told to leave answers blank if they were unsure. I heard that there was a team of staff members who filled in the bubbles. I heard there was one girl who sat and did nothing during the test, leaving all answers blank and she scored at goal. The principal sent out an email telling staff not to take attendance on the computer during one week of CAPT. The math scores soared from 40% at/above goal in 2008 to 75% at/above goal in 2010 and the reading scores went from 50% at/above goal in 2009 to 70% at/above goal in 2010. Adamowski had a huge party for them. No one bothered to question anything. The same principal for years has had students re-take classes over and over again for credit.
3. I have heard that an elementary school principal instructed her staff to walk around the room during testing and check that students were answering correctly and to let them know when the answers were wrong.
There have not been any miracle jumps in test scores at any school in Hartford without cheating or an influx of suburban students. The Hartford Courant doesn’t care to report the truth or investigate any suspicions. It’s all available at ctreports.com.
http://jonathanpelto.com/2012/10/15/different-test-or-make-them-disappear-same-result-but-different-consequences/
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