Should Pennsylvania trade the Keystone Exams for the SAT?
Article written by Nancy Ironside for The Philadelphia Inquirer
Movements that are truly about making quality, student-centered education available to as many students as possible recognize teachers as change agents whose voices must be listened to and amplified. To that end, this month's blog features an opinion piece written by Nancy Ironside, a math teacher at Science Leadership Academy Middle School (SLAMS). SLAMS is one of twelve member schools of The Philadelphia Learning Collaborative. In it, Ms. I., as her students lovingly refer to her, beautifully examines how Pennsylvania and some other states are handling the post-NCLB environment as it relates to state tests that are required for graduation.
Nancy raises key questions like: 1. Why are we still administering the Keystones? 2. Might SATs or ACTs be better alternatives? and 3. How well do any of these tests evaluate student readiness for life after high school?
