National Tests: Administration Initiative
Publication Date: June 1998
Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Author(s):
Research Area: Education
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Abstract:
The Clinton Administration is encouraging states and local educational agencies (LEAs) to administer new national tests to 4th grade pupils in reading and 8th grade pupils in mathematics each year beginning in 2000. Participation in the tests would be voluntary and would not affect a state or LEA’s eligibility for federal aid programs. These tests would be based on existing assessments that were developed with federal financial support. The federal government would oversee development of the tests, paying the costs for this as well as technical assistance, and the initial round of test administration, using funds under the Fund for the Improvement of Education (FIE).
According to the Administration, the testing program is authorized under current statutes, and results from these tests are necessary to inform pupils and their parents about their achievement in comparison to national and international norms. Opponents of the national test initiative argue that: it is not authorized; it should be scrutinized by the Congress before implementation; the new tests are unnecessary; and the initiative may indirectly lead to inappropriate federal influence on state and local curricula. FY1998 appropriations legislation prohibits field testing or other administration of the tests in FY1998, but test development may continue. In addition, test oversight responsibility was given to an independent, bipartisan board; and the National Academy of Sciences was directed to undertake studies on the national tests, linking of scores on existing tests, and appropriate uses of test scores. H.R. 2846, passed by the House on February 5, 1998, would prohibit national test-related activities beyond those provided for in the FY1998 appropriations act. Similar provisions in the Senate version of H.R. 2646 are not included in the conference version of that bill.