Practical testing

The Joplin Globe

State Sen. Gary Nodler has proposed linking the Missouri Assessment Program tests to the federal No Child Left Behind Act so that school districts aren't unfairly penalized as "failing" even though Missouri students outperform those in other states.

Nodler's legislation would order the State Board of Education to revamp MAP tests by June 30, 2006, so that the state's standards would be brought into line with the federal act. Students also would be tested every year, which the federal law requires. ...

But Missouri's hard look at its MAP tests that Nodler's bill requires should only be a starting point. Congress should revisit some of the provisions of NCLB too with an eye on reform. ... The objective of No Child Left Behind -- to ensure that every student gets a good education -- is sound, but it also must be practical.