High Stakes Tests -Lorrie Shepard, UC-Boulder

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High Stakes Tests-Lorrie Shepard, UC-Boulder

• Discussion by
• Trudy Samuelson
• Rhonda Martin
• Leland Jacobs
• Dani Ladwig

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Research FindingsHigh-stakes testing leads to

• Test score inflation
• Curriculum distortion
• Negative effects of working to look good or to do
  well on the test instead of working to understand
  and master the material.

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Recommendations for Policy Makers

• Preserve the integrity of national tests
• Evaluate and verify the validity of gains
• Scientifically evaluate the consequences of
  accountability and incentive systems
• Recognize and abide by professional standards

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Recommendations for Educators

• No special teaching to the test
• Do teach to the content standards
• Alternative evidence of achievement should be
  shared