What else would you buy instead of tests?

In a recent exchange on the AASL Forum...

David Loertscher:

If there are 50 million students in U.S. schools and $ 2.5 billion is spent on testing, then, I think that computes out to $500 per student. Just think what we could do with that kind of money in the library learning commons!...here is the note and links from Edsurge:

HERE'S A TEST: How much are schools spending on assessments? Data from SIIA's annual vendor survey show the PreK-12 testing and assessment market has grown 57% over the past three years. Sales totaled almost $2.5 billion in 2012-13, making these products "the largest single category of education technology sales," according to the executive summary (PDF). Among the drivers of this growth is Common Core testing and increasing demand for better digital formative assessments. The full 20+ page report will set you back $350.

Stephen Krashen: 
Right you are, David, but I'm afraid it will cost a lot more than 2.5 billion. Testing will all be online, which means every student must be connected to the internet. The popular plan is "one laptap for every student" and these computers need to be upgraded and replaced (every three years). We are already paying for connecting schools to the internet through our phone bills, but we will also have to pay for all new "improvements".  The boondoggle will continue forever - if the brave new technology and tests don't help, teachers will be blamed and there will be a call for more testing and technology. 

There is no evidence at all that the new tests and technology will hep, and previous studies show no increase in achievement with more testing.  The evidence supporting libraries keeps increasing, while funding for libraries continues to decrease.

Christine Norris:
Right now I can't even get a laptop cart so that my 7th graders can do their research project. Because PARCC starts in December. Really? They want me to teach them to research but won't give me the tools. 

Paige Jaeger:
RttT money equaled $4.3 billion.  Not, 2.5 billion  -- Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. See my SLJ article on this topic: http://www.slj.com/2014/01/opinion/on-common-core/the-wrong-villain-critics-should-focus-on-race-to-the-top-on-common-core/#

OK, readers. If somebody handed you an extra $500 per student in your school, how would YOU spend it? (For our district, that's about $4.5 million dollars - almost double what we spend on all of technology - machines, infrastructure, tech support, admin systems, etc.)

My vote would to devices for all students along with a learning management system that tailors their resources and activities in math and reading specifically to them along with plentiful high-quality digital resources (managed by the librarian) to populate the system. And training for teachers in how to use it.

Pearson, I'd even buy it from you.

Image source

Comments

[Megan Cusick]

Chi School Librarians has recommended that Chicago Public Schools reduce funds spent on testing and use the money for.....a school librarian in every school. Let's start there!

[Doug Johnson]

Hi Megan,

I am totally with you so long as the librarians accept responsibilities for providing PD and a curating digital resources to support individualized learning plans.

I appreciate the reminder.

Doug

[Jim Randolph]

I'd buy a full time media clerk for my library and MORE BOOKS.

[Kathy]

Not sure the individualized online learning will do the trick!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2014/12/10/this-will-revolutionize-education-and-how-students-really-learn-best/

[Doug Johnson]

Jim,

That's a lot of books and very high-priced clerk!

Doug

Hi Kathy,

Oh, I don't think that this is a sure thing either - but it does make sense and seems among the most humane reforms going in education right now. Assuming it is done right, of course.

Thanks for the comment and link.

Doug​

[Michael Walker]

Doug,
Couldn't agree with you more, especially after we heard Yong Zhao on Monday!
http://edinatech.blogspot.com/2014/12/ties-14-notes-yong-zhao.html

Mike

[Doug Johnson]

Hi Mike,

I enjoyed Yong Zhao's talk on Monday as well. I've heard hime before (don't remember where) but his data and its interpretation is always dead on. I've read on of his books too and it was worthwhile.

Nice summary of his talk on your blog.

Doug​

[Kenn Gorman]

...I would add "ENOUGH teacher training so that teachers are comfortable using the new equipment / technology and convinced that this would replace existing systems. "

The selling point for me as I try to implement new technology / systems is to get teachers and administrators to accept that I am trying to get them to replace their existing systems with something else. Unless we give those teachers the training on not only how to work the systems but also what it will replace, no such changes will happen.

No one - regardless of their job - wants to do more work for the same pay and the same time commitment.

[Doug Johnson]

Hi Kenn,

I would not, as a teacher, be content to have a current system simply replaced with technology. The technology would have to make me more productive or the task less difficult or time-consuming.

Doug