Is State Testing an Accurate Gauge as to What Your Children Are Learning?

For many years parents have been relying on test scores to tell them whether, or not their children are learning. However each year another scandal hit's the news, or another problem with testing. This year is clearly no different. The latest news scandal unfolds in the Atlanta Public School system. According to news reports it seems that over one hundred teachers and principles cheated when it came to the standardized testing. Since the testing is not accurate this means that the parents can not tell what there children actually learned during the course of the year. This may leave many children struggling when they go to the next school year.

After reading this news report I spoke with some parents to see how they felt about it. Many say that even though it did not happen where they live, they are concerned that it may be. Higher test scores does not mean that children in public schools are actually learning. It just means that the school is ranked higher, and the teachers and principal get an extra special pat on the back. Now many parents are saying that it is best to go by what there report card says, as to whether or not they are learning. Unfortunately some parents also felt that if teachers lied about mandatory state testing they may also lie and fudge records on their children's report cards to look good.

The best way to ensure that your children are getting a good education is to stay involved in the learning process. Make sure that you are looking at their test scores when they bring them home. Pay attention to homework assignments, and progress reports. If you have questions about grades don't be afraid to speak to the teacher about it. Any red flags that pop up make sure to point it out. Remember that it's not just about getting a piece of paper that says you learned, but it's about making sure your children really learned. So the bottom line is that no one knows for sure whether, or not they can trust state testing. As more and more reports come out like the one mentioned above, parents seem to trust the public school system less, and less. Unfortunately it seems that school officials are putting more, and more pressure on teachers to get high testing scores. The end result is a bunch of students who are graduating without learning what they need to survive in life.