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Raising Test Scores for All Students

An Administrator's Guide to Improving Standardized Test Performance

By: Eugene Kennedy

Finally—a school improvement plan that raises standardized test scores and improves your students' performance!

Raising Test Scores for All Students marries knowledge about testing and test preparation with school improvement, providing a comprehensive guide for administrators looking for a systemic approach to the challenge of standardized testing. Eugene Kennedy includes a concise overview of the history and research on testing, case studies, flow charts, and forms, as well as a four-step approach to improving performance:

Step 1: Adopting a Systemic Approach to Improvement and Change
Step 2: Aligning the Educational Process with the Desired Outcome
Step 3: Aligning the Education Process with Inputs
Step 4: Creating Positive Change

. . . Plus strategies and techniques for motivating all your students.

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Product Details

Grade Level: PreK-12
ISBN: 9780761945284
Published By: Corwin
Year: 2003
Page Count: 152
Publication date: March 26, 2003

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Description

Finally—a school improvement plan that raises standardized test scores and improves your students' performance!

Standardized tests are so widely used in public schools, they seem to have been around forever. On the contrary, standardized testing as we know it today is a relatively recent phenomenon, and in today's classrooms and schools the stakes have never been higher. For students, test results may determine whether they are promoted from one grade to another or if they receive their high school diplomas. For teachers, the pressures are equally great. Student outcomes on standardized tests are often directly linked to annual evaluations, pay raises, and even future employment. And for school administrators, these tests can determine the reputation of a school and be the basis for public rewards or demoralizing sanctions.

Raising Test Scores for All Students marries knowledge about testing and test preparation with school improvement, providing a comprehensive guide for administrators looking for a systemic approach to the challenge of standardized testing. Eugene Kennedy includes a concise overview of the history and research on testing, case studies, flow charts and forms, as well as a four-step approach to improving performance:

Step 1: Adopting a Systemic Approach to Improvement and Change
Step 2: Aligning the Educational Process with the Desired Outcome
Step 3: Aligning the Education Process with Inputs
Step 4: Creating Positive Change

. . . Plus strategies and techniques for motivating all your students. This innovative approach is an invaluable tool for any educator!

Key features

Author has over 20 years experience in educational testing and measurement
Content has been refined through feedback received from workshops at the state, district, and school level
Informal and practical approach
Will feature checklists, forms, timelines, tables, flowcharts, and other visual materials

Author(s)

Eugene Kennedy

Eugene Kennedy is an Associate Professor of Educational Research Methodology at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is the Interim Chair for the Department of Educational Leadership, Research and Counseling. He teaches courses in educational measurement, statistics, and research. His current research interests include school effectiveness and accountability. He has published numerous articles and written several chapters in books. He has been a national consultant on test preparation for more than two decades.

Table of Contents

Preface

About the Author

1. A Review of the Nature of Standardized Tests

A Brief History of Standardized Testing in America

Basic Characteristics of a Standardized Test

Conclusion

Sources of Information and Additional Readings

2. Standardized Test Preparation for Schools: A Model

The Bandwagon of School Change

Lessons Learned and the Essential Elements of School Change

A Model for Changing Student Outcomes on Standardized Tests

Conclusion

Sources of Information and Additional Readings

3. Adopting a Systemic Approach to Improvement and Change

What Is Systemic Change?

Creating an Environment for Positive Systemic Change

Steps Toward Realizing Systemic Change for Test Preparation

Conclusion

Sources of Information and Additional Readings

4. Aligning with the Educational Process With Desired Outcomes

Defining the Outcome

Determining Information Needs of Stakeholders

Collecting and Analyzing Data on School Test Preparation Practices

Analyzing and Summarizing School Test Data

Identifying and Prioritizing Problem Areas

Conclusion

Sources of Information and Additional Readings

5. Aligning the Educational Process With Inputs

Techniques of Data Collection

Factors Which Impede Standardized Test Performance

Teacher and Staff Characteristics Which Impede Students' Standardized Test Performance

Social and Environmental Factors Which Impede Students' Standardized Test Performance

Conclusion

Sources of Information and Additional Readings

6. Creating Positive Change

Identify the Causes of the Problems

Identify Solutions to the Problems

Develop a School Improvement Plan

Conclusion

Sources of Information and Additional Readings

7. A Case Study of an Elementary School

The Setting

Washington Elementary School

Language Arts Percentile Ranks: Trends

8. Conclusion

References

Index

Other Titles in: School Change, Reform, & Restructuring | Standards & Accountability | Summative Assessment & Testing

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