Explain the activities leading up to the current controversy over high-stakes testing in education.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

• In 2009, the Common Core State Standards were introduced into the U.S. educational system.
• To address students’ lack academic progress (primarily in math) and the differing academic standards of states, the Common Core made math and English and language arts learning goals consistent across states by introducing a standard set of knowledge and skills students should be able to demonstrate at the end of each grade throughout their K–12 education to ensure they have the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in beginning college courses, in entry-level jobs, and in life after graduating from high school.
• Providing consistent learning goals for educators, and created through collaboration by school administrators, teachers, and other experts, the Common Core standards had, by 2010, been voluntarily adopted by educational systems in most states (45 states, including the District of Columbia, 4 territories, and the Department of Defense school system).
• Standardized testing will play a critical role in the Common Core standards, as states that have adopted the Common Core standards will use a common and comprehensive set of standardized tests to measure student performance and teacher progress.
• As schools make changes to meet Common Core standards, controversy is emerging over the use of such standardized tests.