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Thursday, April 17, 2008
Test-taking time
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
When will metro Atlanta students take the CRCT? The answer depends on where they go to school.
Kids in Gwinnett started taking the state tests Tuesday. Fulton kids begin today. Clayton, Cobb and DeKalb won’t start until next week.
Why is it like this? Turns out choosing the days to give these tests is left up to local school officials. Of course they have differing ideas on when students will perform best.
Fulton and Gwinnett give the test this week because students are relaxed after spring break and so their schools get the results back earlier. Cobb and DeKalb pick the end of the testing window to give students and teachers more time to prepare.
These multiple-choice tests are critical. Some students must pass parts of the exam to move on the next grade. Scores will help determine whether schools made the testing goals required through No Child Left Behind.
Should school districts have the freedom to decide when their students take these tests? Do the different testing dates put some students at a disadvantage?
