Q and A: Will APS reconsider its high-stakes testing mentality?

Each day this week we will post one question and answer from last week’s SNAPPS town hall meeting between superintendent Davis and members of the community.

Question:  Will APS reconsider its high-stakes testing mentality?  There are other measures, not just tests.

Davis’ Answer: “Unequivocally, yes. I am not a fan of high-stakes tests. Everyone should be judged based on a body of work. I talked with Dr. Rosser and Dr. Hart (who is here) to see how we can develop value-added measures. If a child’s scale score goes up 100 points but it’s still not enough to declare that he met standards, the state considers that a failure. It is not to me. You’ll be hearing more information about our plans to look at growth and other measures of student achievement.