Arkansas Changes Way It Evaluates Students
By: Import User
Updated: January 7, 2009
Monday the state changed the way it evaluates educational progress among its public school students. The Board of Education approved state-based standardized tests. The move is a
step away from tests that draw national comparisons.
The board did make one change in the proposal today before voting on it. Schools will be allowed to give a national reference test on a voluntary basis in grades two through nine if the
Legislature approves money for it. That was on a request by a new member Randy Lawson of Bentonville, who emphasized the need to compare Arkansas students with students from other states around
the country.
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Proponents of the state-only test said the idea was based on
extensive research and public comment. Business leaders said they
were worried about a testing project that did not provide for
measuring the progress of Arkansas students against other students
across the country.
