SACRAMENTO, Calif.
—
The state Senate approved a bill Tuesday that would end traditional
standardized testing of students in reading, math and social science, as
the top federal education official threatened to withhold federal funds
if the measure becomes law.
California schools have used the STAR tests to measure student learning and school performance since 1999.
But AB494 would replace the multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper tests
next spring with new language and math tests designed to follow the
Common Core curriculum standards. Students would use computers to take
the new tests.
The measure passed, 25-7, and returns to the Assembly for a final vote.
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan objected that the abrupt shift
would leave the state without test scores for a year while it adopts the
new system.
To read more by Don Thompson of UT San Diego press CLICK HERE