Examining the Effects of High-Stakes Standardized Tests on Learning Outcomes

Education News Headline RoundupOver the past few weeks, there have been significant developments at the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio (STRS Ohio). On May 15, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost initiated an investigation into the allegations of a hostile takeover attempt of the $90 billion pension fund, which serves thousands of educators, by QED Systematic Solutions.Academic publishing is facing a crisis of credibility as journals close and thousands of retractions are issued in the wake of a glut of fake research papers. A study by Nature found that in 2013 there were just over 1,000 retractions compared to 2022 with 4,000 and then jumping to more than 10k in 2023. More than 8k of the retractions came from an Egyptian company called Hindawi, which is a subsidiary of Wiley; the Hindawi brand will be sunsetted and its properties absorbed into Wiley. Wiley has announced they will close 19 journals because of the rise of fake papers.A report by Spectrum News from May 14th alleges that millions of dollars in Texas taxpayer funds intended for a charter school in Odessa were diverted to support struggling Third Future charter schools network in Colorado, of which Houston Independent School District superintendent Mike Miles is founder and with whom he has recently maintained a consulting relationship.Examining the Effects of High-Stakes Standardized Tests on Learning OutcomesThis episode explores the history and impact of high-stakes standardized testing in the U.S., starting with a brief review of the No Child Left Behind Act and its legacy. Discussions include the educational goals of high-stakes tests (such as accountability and standardization), and the reasons why these tests often fall short of bettering educational outcomes for students, including curriculum narrowing and stress on students and teachers. We also delve into recent research, including a 2024 study by Maroun and Tienken, which highlights the significant influence of socioeconomic factors on test performance.Discussion QuestionsWhat are the consequences of "teaching to the test"?Why does the high-stakes testing system persist despite its criticisms?Can we design a system with standardized tests but without high-stakes consequences? What might this look like?What would it take to move school administrators and policy makers toward the idea that standardized tests should inform academic strategies instead of penalties or other punitive measures?How do we develop a system to hold educators accountable for serving students well that recognizes that a student’s academic or standardized test performance is not always the best indicator of that student’s learning? Would peer/student reviews play a part in this system?Sources & Resources:Ohio AG investigating alleged 'hostile takeover' inside teacher's pension fundMarch Board News | STRS OhioApril Board News | STRS OhioFebruary Board News | STRS Ohio EmployerAnswering viewer questions about Ohio's retired teachers' pension fund chaosHouston teachers union calls for Mike Miles' resignation after explosive reportHISD students plan walkout as investigation launches into state-appointed superintendent Mike MilesHISD's Mike Miles responds to 'spurious' investigation into charter school networkHISD superintendent Mike Miles accused of mishandling state education funds | CW39 HoustonHouston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles responds to allegations he diverted Texas school funds to his Colorado schoolsReport about charter schools founded by Houston ISD superintendent Mike Miles prompts calls for investigationHISD Superintendent Mike Miles responds to report he funneled TX taxpayer money to Colorado | TEA commissioner, Third Future Schools also respondDisappearing Dollars: Texas public schools missing millionsFlood of Fake Science Forces Multiple Journal Closures - WSJWiley shuts 19 scholarly journals amid AI paper mill problem • The RegisterWiley to shutter 19 journalsEvolving our portfolio in response to integrity challenges | Hindawi‘The situation has become appalling’: fake scientific papers push research credibility to crisis pointSurge In Academic Retractions Should Put U.S. Scholars On NoticeScience’s fake-paper problem: high-profile effort will tackle paper millsThe Pernicious Predictability of State-Mandated Tests of Academic Achievement in the United StatesStandardized Testing is Still Failing Students | NEAResearch Shows What State Standardized Tests Actually MeasureHistory of Standardized Tests - ProCon.org18 years ago, Mike Pence voted against No Child Left Behind. So did Bernie Sanders. Their reasons weren’t the same. - The Washington PostEpisode 51 - Left Behind - 16:1 - An Education PodcastObama Calls for Major Change in Education Law - The New York TimesHistory of Standardized Testing in the United States | NEAPearson, ETS, Houghton Mifflin, and McGraw-Hill Lobby Big and Profit Bigger from School Tests | PR WatchHistory of Memorial Day | National Memorial Day Concert | PBS