news

On February 17, the Washington Post "The Answer Sheet" blog featured a contribution by FairTest's Lisa Guisbond on linking teachers' pay to their students' test scores, which attracted more reader comments than any other posting to the site in the past several months:

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2010/02/08/fairtest-national-merit-criteria-need-public-airing-and-review/?cxntfid=blogs_get_schooled_blog

for further information:

Bob Schaeffer (239) 395-6773

cell  (239) 699-0468

for immediate release, Monday, February 8, 2010

NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP CORP. BULLIES SCHOOL COUNSELOR
TO REMOVE STATE-BY-STATE QUALIFYING TEST SCORES FROM WEB;
FAIRTEST RE-POST’S “CENSORED” DATA TO SHOW AWARD’S BIASES.

for more information, contact
Dr. Monty Neill  (617) 522-0801
Bob Schaeffer  (239) 395-6773

for immediate release, Wednesday evening, January 27, 2010

NOTE: for a PDF formatted version of this fact sheet click here)

Independent researchers have found that evaluating and paying teachers for test scores is either damaging or irrelevant to improved learning.*  Unfortunately, even evidence of harm does not seem to affect the growing popularity of such schemes. Policymakers, including U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, should stop promoting this failed approach.

FairTest comments on US Education Department's "Race to the Top Assessment Program" hearing in Boston on Nov. 12. 

- See oral remarks in text or PDF.

- See detailed comments (including oral remarks) in PDF.

for further information:
Bob Schaeffer (239) 395-6773

for use with annual SAT scores release – 11:00am, Tuesday, August 25, 2009

for further information:

Bob Schaeffer: (239) 395-6773

for use with annual ACT score release -- 12:01am Wednesday, August 19, 2009

for immediate release, Monday, August 17, 2009

TO AVOID SLIPPING BACKWARDS ON EDUCATION REFORM, DRAFT “RACE TO THE TOP” GUIDELINES MUST BE REVISED