TESTING SERVICES

Standardized tests allow students to be compared with other students and schools to be compared with other schools. Such comparisons give educators the opportunity to look at achievement and ability levels of students in relation to a defined student group. Teachers and administrators get an "external" look at the performance of their students, one that is independent of the school's own assessments of student learning. If our population continues to be highly mobile and students compete nationally as well as locally for educational and economic opportunities; student and school comparisons with local and national norm groups should be of interest to students, parents, and educators.