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Editorials

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Sunday, April 30, 2006

OUR FIRST thoughts on this new-and-improved augmented test for Arkansas students: Why not? 

It may not be easy, or quick. And, yes, change is stressful. But when you have the challenges facing Arkansas’ system of public education, the change—and the stress—is needed. In the case of Arkansas’ system of public education, the change and stress is also court-ordered. (See the unending case of Lake View v. Huckabee which began as Lake View v. Tucker. Or was it Lake View v. Clinton? Rockefeller? Faubus?)     The state’s Department of Education wants to create one single test for kids to take each year, by combining the state’s Benchmark Exam and the required nationally standardized test. 

It makes sense. Our kids may be undereducated but overtested. If we could somehow combine the two exams, Arkansas’ kids would have more time in the classroom to learn more things. Teachers would have more time to teach and not just—all together now—Teach To The Test. (Which actually isn’t such a bad thing if what’s on the test is worth learning.)     Jodie Mahony, the veteran state legislator from El Dorado, says the state has made great strides in testing. And he’s right about that. 

But he’s got a problem with this business about an augmented test. What’s his beef? Basically that we’re doing just fine already, thank you, with the current testing system. And if it’s fixed, don’t break it. 

The honorable has half a point. The current testing system is better than the largely unaccountable slapdash system of the past, but there’s still room for improvement. Like creating one, allinclusive test. 

Because if the state doesn’t continually improve, we’ll eventually sink down into the mediocre middle again. As other states improve, High Standards and Excellence and Among the Best continue to be moving targets. If we can reduce the number of test days and preparefor-test days, and increase the number of learning days, and still hold schools and districts accountable, and still track the improvement of all the kids from year to year, then . . . well, why not? 

Representative Mahony sounded downright upset in the paper. He noted how far Arkansas has come in testing, and how the state is on the “cutting edge,” and how Arkansas’ testing program is expected to be one of the first in the nation to get full approval from the feds, and how the new plan would “throw it all away” and so desperately on. 

When a man has spent so many years and put so much effort into improving education and mastering state finances, sometimes he tends to develop a proprietary attitude toward his specialties, and views others as poaching on his territory. Jodie Mahony can be a great asset to the Arkansas legislature, but he’s not the state’s only asset. Or the only public servant with a knowledgeable interest in education. 

One augmented test—with scores coming back in time to be useful—sounds good to us. At least, until we hear an argument that’s better than, “We’re doing enough now.”