"Tests fail because of an effect I call the "Numerical Outcome
Principle". . . . ". . .Our leaders need to look beyond the
numbers, and judge the context in which the numbers arose. . . "
- Joe Ganem Why Testing Fails: How Numbers Deceive Us All By
Joseph Ganem Ph.D. There is broad agreement, that improving
education requires assessing student outcomes, and holding those
responsible accountable for the results. But, the use of
standardized tests, as a tool for assessment and accountability,
has resulted in more disillusionment than improvement. The heavy
emphasis on testing mandated by the No Child Left Behind Law,
has not lead to the sought after gains in educational outcomes.
I believe that the failure of mandated testing is a predictable
result. Tests fail because of an effect I call the "Numerical
Outcome Principle." Simply put: Once a number is used to judge
outcomes, people will adjust their behavior to maximize that
particular number. The actual outcome no longer matters. The
field of education is rife