|
Katy Citizen Watchdog$ |
|
We’re Taxpayers. It’s Our Money. |
|
Why All This Secrecy About The SAT? |
|
Back To Watchdog Archives (“Commentary”)
Texans have a right to know where their students stand on reading and grammar usage on the SAT. The College Board decided not to release any data regarding the 49 multiple-choice grammar/usage questions. This is outrageous since this part of the Writing test is worth close to 70% of a student’s Writing score.
We Texas State Board of Education members need all the 2006 SAT data because the SBOE is presently in the process of rewriting the curriculum requirements for English / Language Arts / Reading. It is important to us to know how well prepared in grammar/usage our Texas students really are.
To make matters worse, The College Board also did not release the 2006 SAT data which shows how the Texas students did on the essay part of the Writing section.
Why is The College Board deliberately burying the 2006 SAT data? How can state policymakers use the SAT to help them assess their student’s progress when The College Board only releases partial information?
I personally feel we have not taught grammar well in our schools for over twenty years. When Corporate America has to spend over $3 Billion annually to train workers to speak and write correctly, something is badly wrong with our schools.
Even if the SAT results are poor, we Texans still need to know the truth. If we need to improve grammar instruction, we need to know that. It is important for us as SBOE members to gain a realistic picture of our graduates’ strengths and weaknesses so that we policymakers can make informed decisions. The SAT could be a helpful instrument; but if only partial data is released, we members only get a partial view of our graduates’ abilities.
The College Board's partial release of data honestly makes me wonder if their leadership has been unduly influenced by progressive ideologues who do not support the direct, explicit, and systematic instruction of grammar.
One thing is for sure: The College Board’s management of the 2006 SAT data does nothing to help bring meaningful reforms to our classrooms.
Under a new $275 dollar per student allotment (Grades 9-12) approved by the Texas Legislature, Texas Education Commissioner Neeley has told the public that schools can use that money for SAT registration fees or for programs that would improve scores measured by the test. It would be a smart thing for the College Board to practice full disclosure of their SAT data since taxpayers’ money may well be funding an increase in the number of SAT test-takers.
At this point I am not impressed with the position that The College Board has taken to cloak their 2006 SAT data in secrecy. Perhaps the Legislature needs to take the position that the failure of testing companies to provide complete data might result in a demand for them to refund Texas taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars.
Terri Leo
|
|
Teri S. Leo, State Board Of Education District 6 |
|
Date: 09/01/2006 |
