"Students Get What Flows Downward": District Leaders' Rationalizations of the Standardized Testing of Children. Issue 2 (3rd April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Munter, Charles; Haines, Cara
• Is Part Of: Educational forum. Volume 83:Issue 2(2019)
• Page Start: 160
• Page End: 180
• Publication Date: 2019-04-03
• Subjects: administration/supervision -- assessment -- evaluation -- measurement -- testing.; Education -- Periodicals; 370.5
• DOI: 10.1080/00131725.2019.1567891
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-1725

Abstract

Abstract: What do students stand to gain from high-stakes, standardized testing? We consider answers to this question from the perspective of urban district leaders tasked with designing and overseeing the implementation of standardized testing policies. Results revealed variation in leaders' framing of and rationale for standardized testing with respect to benefits for students and whether/why students should strive for high test scores. Implications for both approaches to standardized testing and broader improvement initiatives are discussed.