High Stakes Tests: An Overview

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What are high stakes tests?

High stake tests are exams generated by federal or state agencies that claim that the tests evaluate the content or subject in the assessment. For example, the Grade 4 ELA New York State Assessment claims to assess the English/ Language Arts in grade 4. The state or federal agencies use these tests to determine which schools are below average in providing adequate education to students or which schools will receive monetary assistance or which students will receive a high school diploma. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is a federal act which will, through high stakes testing, determine how much federal aid will be given to a state.

Brenda Weaver is the K-5 Language Arts/Social Studies Coordinator for Skaneateles Central Schools in Skaneateles, New York. She has been a classroom teacher, reading teacher, assistant principal, principal, curriculum coordinator, and college instructor. She has published articles and books on the topic of literacy and leveling books. The Skaneateles Language Arts Program, which was developed under her supervision, has won two International Reading Association Exemplary Reading Awards and is a top scorer on the new New York State Grade 4 English/Language Arts Test. Her first book for Scholastic, Ready-To-Use Reading Assessments & Intervention Strategies for K-2, is available in the Teacher Store.

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