[NLA] "breaking news"

[Mev Miller]

>For some unknown (or unspoken, at least)
>reason the standardized test is the only legitimate way of documentation of
>progress.  Says who?

We may want to look at this question a bit more systemically too. 
Right now, the push in education (K-18) in general is back to (or 
more enforcement and reinforcement) for standardized testing. I think 
this is a reaction and backlash to programs trying to explore 
multicultural inclusion and alternative forms of pedagogy that 
threaten the "white canon" of education. Also, it is driven by 
science (prove results) and money -- business and capitalism 
reinforcing the types of education they need for their workforces -- 
which may (or may not) be in direct contradiction to wholistic needs 
of students and communities. As the federal and local/state 
governments insist on more testing at all levels, it seems only 
unavaoidable that adult learning would follow the same route. This is 
especially ironic as we know that many adults "failed" because of 
such testing systems and which often have race, gender, ethnic and 
class discrimination at their centers -- worked into their "neutral" 
fabric!

Unfortunately, k-12 educators, college educators and adult literacy 
workers have little opportunity to learn from each other, never mind 
the time to build a united coalition to address these issues. 
Standardized testing is problematic at all levels and yet those 
advocating for educational "rigor" see testing as the panacea for 
correcting our educational woes in the U.S.
-- 
Mev Miller, Ed.D.
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