Syracuse University’s School of Education hosts ‘Sacred Cows!’ discussion of standardized testing

Syracuse University’s School of Education hosts’Sacred Cows!’ discussion of standardized testingJanuary 23, 2003Kelly Homan Rodoskikahoman@syr.edu

Focus On, a publication from the Education Research Service Foundation, asked: “Standards accountability for schools and students, high-stakes tests-are they part of a movement that will raise student achievement, promote high quality education and reform public school? Or are they a politically motivated ‘quick fix’ that trivializes learning and gets in the way of real education reform?”

Widely respected educators James Kadamus, deputy commissioner of the New York State Education Department (NYSED) and Walter J. Sullivan, superintendent of the Skaneateles Central School District, will address those issues, and share their viewpoints and counterpoints on matters of standardized testing and school accountability in New York state during a Jan. 31 discussion hosted by Syracuse University’s School of Education.

“Sacred Cows! Standardized Testing: The Educational Issues” will be held from 1-3:30 p.m. at the Goldstein Student Center, located on the University’s South Campus. Moderating the discussion will be Catherine Gerard, associate director of midcareer and executive education in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. More than 40 Central New York school superintendents and administrators are registered to attend the event.

The “Sacred Cows!” discussion will examine multiple viewpoints on the issues of standardized testing. Presenters will cite supporting research for their arguments. Some of the issues that will be discussed include:

• overcoming demographic performance disparities
• current and alternative assessment practices
• advantages/disadvantages of standardized testing
• balances of value and cost; matters of results, current and projected
• fairness and appropriateness for all

The program is presented by the Syracuse University Superintendents Alumni Association (SUSAA), the Study Council at Syracuse University and the School of Education. The cost is $25 for SUSAA/Study Council members and $35 for non-members. Call the School of Education’s Office of Professional Development at (315) 443-4696 for more information.

“Sacred Cows!” is an educational issues series sponsored by SUSAA that takes aim at education’s most salient issues through informed discussions, constructive criticism and point/counterpoint presentations to provide insights and framework for individual thinking. Each seminar in the series will explore alternative and somewhat interlocking opinions as well as provide opportunities for engagement with presenters.