In California, almost 4.3 million public school students in grades 2 through 11 took the Stanford 9 standardized tests this spring for the third year in a row. All of them were tested in reading and math. Students through Grade 8 also took a spelling test, and students in higher grades took exams in science and history / social science.

But is the Stanford 9 a good measure of whether schools are doing a better job in the classroom? Many educators say it is not. Critics, like the National Center for Fair and Open Testing, contend that "norm-referenced" tests like the Stanford 9 compare students to a national sample, rather than testing how well students have mastered a body of knowledge as do "criterion-referenced" tests. And increasingly, parents are voicing concern about "high stakes" testing, says an article in The Atlantic Monthly.

However, advocates of the test, like Stanford 9 publishers Harcourt, say that while the test has some flaws, "it is one of the finest instruments of this type in the country," and "it is a valuable source of information that helps educators make thoughtful decisions about students' academic progress."

	Ready for School About two dozen children under four years old in Pacoima are ready for school this fall thanks to LAEP's School Readiness Project that teaches parents how to be their child's first teacher.

	Teachers Form a 'Support Network' 130 LAUSD teachers seeking National Board certification find guidance and support within LAEP's Support Network.

	National Education Goals Not There Yet Has the nation met its educational goals for 2000? Here's a report on 10 years of measured progress toward their attainment.

	Search LAEP advanced search