Testing the tests.
Whatever happened to the Scantron sheets?
We used to receive the test booklet (with instructions NOT to write in it), scratch paper, pencils, and Scantron sheets. The only computer resources required were to run the Scantron sheets through the optical reader and analyze the test results.
Computer-based testing seems unnecessary and expensive. Plus, I wonder about the quality of the test. The quality of education was much higher back in the Scantron days and before schools even had computers. (And the quality of education in many European countries was miles ahead of American education—but that’s another topic.)
No worry folks, they just teach to the test. Like they do in Memphis. Which is why Memphis has the worse schools in TN.
I remember the Scantrons as well, which was a multiple choice sheet.
Always thought they had to “fill a quota” on what percentage of kids got good and bad grades. I’d get great grades in the first semester, usually terrible before Christmas, somewhat better or worse in spring and back up to “really great” or mediocre but passing by the end of classes.
Even though my parents wanted me to “study harder” I was just basically doing the same old thing and the same amount of work and study I had been doing all year, yet there was almost always “the dip” pattern to how I was graded.
“Students will be required to drag and drop items using a mouse and type up essays using a keyboard, potentially giving an advantage to kids who are more computer literate or have better access to technology.
“That’s an equity issue,” said Gisela Feild, Miami-Dade’s administrative director of assessment, research and data analysis.”
Broward elementary schools receive new laptops
3,200 laptops given to 27 schools
http://www.local10.com/news/broward-elementary-schools-receive-new-laptops/21465736