Preparing for High-Stakes Testing

Abstract

The passage of the No Child Left Behind Act has spotlighted testing and accountability in U.S. public schools. This federal statute calls for a dramatic expansion of state-level high-stakes testing. Educators need to prepare students for these tests in ways that do not detract from real learning. In addition, school practitioners must become assessment literate in order to make the maximum use of test results. This article addresses appropriate and inappropriate test preparation practices, as well as some practical aspects for becoming assessment literate.