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Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Defined by Test Scores
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In a recent story, retiring Gwinnett County Principal Barbara Hopkins recalled a low point at Benefield Elementary:
“Four years ago, we were written up as a failing school, one of four in Gwinnett County,” Hopkins said. “My PTA president wept and told me that for the first time in her life, she was embarrassed to wear her Benefield Elementary shirt to the grocery store. That should never happen again.”
Benefield improved dramatically, shedding the humiliating label.
No doubt about it, the stigma of failure is a powerful motivator. Such pressure existed before No Child Left Behind. Principals — especially those at schools serving many students from poor familie — often dreaded when test scores were published in the newspaper. What has changed is how accessible test scores are. They’re a click away.
The results of Georgia’s CRCT - a generally more forgiving test than nationally normed tests like the Iowa Test of Basic Skills - will be released soon. Is it fair to use the scores to judge schools, teachers and principals?
