How’s that? Create tests without looking at curriculum?

Big surprise raises doubts

A surprising revelation in a recent Education Week blog item, “Can the Federal Government Fund Curriculum Materials?” creates more concern that the two federally funded attempts to create Common Core State Assessments are heading for significant trouble.

EdWeek’s blog contains a surprising revelation: federal law prohibits federal money from being used to fund curriculum for schools.

But, it’s not possible to create good state assessments without considering the curriculum. Otherwise, you wind up with tests that don’t measure what is taught, tests which may not even measure material that should be in the curriculum.

As discussed below, Kentucky’s assessment history provides rich evidence in this area. Click the “Read more” link to find out how the attempts to create nationwide education assessments are poised to run afoul of the very same issues that doomed not one, but TWO assessment programs in the Bluegrass State.

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