cac.ophony.org

Interesting article in the NY Times on the organization FairTest. It is the only true watchdog organization for standardized testing, but with the increased emphasis on testing–and therefore decrease in donations–it may soon close shop. I found the comments and reactions from representatives of testing services a little startling. For instance,

In a recent newsletter, FairTest printed an analysis of SAT results, using, and crediting, College Board research showing the direct correlation between family income and SAT scores. For every extra $10,000 a family earns, children’s combined math and verbal scores go up 12 to 31 points. So children whose parents earn $50,000 score better on average (a combined 996 SAT) than students from families who earn $40,000 (967) but worse than students from families who earn $60,000 (1014).

For politicians and testing executives bragging about how No Child’s testing emphasis is closing the achievement gap, these are not promising numbers.

In 2004, the College Board demanded that its data breaking down SAT scores by income, race and sex be removed from the FairTest Web site, claiming that the posting was a copyright infringement. But after FairTest showed the letter to reporters, the College Board backed down, calling it a mistake by a junior staff member.

With all of the recent changes in standardized testing (for instance the imminent roll-out of the new, longer GRE) it seems important to have an organization such as this.