Chapter 1's Part in the Juggernaut of Standardized Testing.

The place for standardized testing in Chapter 1 evaluation is discussed. There is substantial evidence available on the negative effects of high-stakes standardized testing, and there is a clear link between Chapter 1 requirements and the amount of testing in most school districts. Standardized testing is usually used to identify eligible students, evaluate the Chapter 1 program, and hold individual schools accountable. It is argued that each of these purposes can be served better by other means. Alternative assessments are needed for Chapter 1 use, but any such assessments must be removed from the tyranny of normal curve equivalent gains. Any system that is devised should be subjected to its own cost-benefit evaluation to determine the costs and side effects of program improvement monitoring. Five overhead projection figures used in the presentation are included. (SLD) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *********************************************************************