Annotated Bibliography
Colvin, Richard Lee and Martha Groves. "Schools Learn Perils of Using a Single Test."
Los Angeles Times 25 September 2003: A1.
(use literary present tense)
This article discusses the recent grading mistakes made by some of the top test-making
companies in the United States. The results supplied by CTB/McGraw-Hill sent over 8,600
students in New York to summer school, by mistake, due to faulty results. This has also
occurred with other publishers and in other states. With so much at risk, such as high school
graduation, it is imperative that results are given accurately. It is also necessary to make sure
standardized tests are not the only factor in getting a diploma or advancing to the next grade.
Herman, Joan L. and Jamal Abedi. "Assessing the Effects of Standardized Testing on Schools."
Educational and Psychological Measurement 54 (Summer 20044): 471-482.
This article gives statistical data collected from upper elementary teachers in 48 different
schools. 450 questionnaires were sent to the teachers to get information on what they
thought of standardized testing. Questions included: how much pressure is felt from the
principal or school district, how much time is spent reviewing for standardized tests, and to
what extent changes in test scores are due to a change in instruction. The surveys were
given out to all types of schools, poor and wealthy, and approximately 341 were received back.
Jones, Jeffrey M., M.D., Ph.D. "The Assessment Debate." Parent Soup 6 December 2003
.
In this article the author supports the standardized, multiple-choice test. He believes the
professional test makers know how to create a good test for all students. He thinks the
tests are valid and reliable and can be trusted, as opposed to performance tests. Performance
tests include essays that, as the author concludes, take too long to grade and cannot cover a
wide...