Do Tests Improve Learning? Poor Families Think So—More Than Wealthier Ones

Real Clear Education, 5-5-2016

The much-maligned student testing could actually reveal social disparities and potentially unite diverse communities, according to a new report.

Major gaps exist in how low-income versus middle- and high-income communities view student testing, according to a report released today by Northwest Evaluation Association and Gallup. NWEA and Gallup’s data show that low-income parents think state tests improve learning despite the opt-out movement, and the movement itself isn’t necessarily moving the needle at the school and district level.

One-third of parents with a household income under $60,000 indicated that they believe state standardized tests improve learning, compared with a mere 16 percent of parents with a household income between $60,000 and $89,999.

What do you think?

More Comments

%d bloggers like this: