The next generation of tests will be lie detector tests to check who’s cheating on tests! Shouldn’t we administer lie detector tests to children, teachers, principals, central office administrators, state Department of Education officials, federal education department officials, those who construct these tests as well as to the companies that score them?

Wouldn’t it be more direct and honest and more accountable to assess a child’s reading, for example, by letting the child read aloud selections from a few books that he or she has read, record them on an audio tape and send it home for child and parent(s) to listen to, enjoy and discuss together!

Seems more commonsensical to me! 


July, 2004 Richard Lakin