The Assessor Assessed: A “Revisionist” Looks at a Critique of the Sandia Report

Abstract

In his critique of the Sandia report, Stedman faulted that report and those of other “revisionists” for concentrating on trend data rather than quality. Stedman felt that whereas trends do not show the U.S. school system to be deteriorating, neither do they show it to be performing well. Stedman added two other arguments for reform: The workplace and a democratic society need more educated people. Stedman was, however, somewhat selective in the evidence he chose to present. Here, additional evidence from some studies he discussed and evidence from new studies are presented to argue that none of Stedman's three general contentions stand up under scrutiny. In addition, specific allegations are challenged.