Raising Test Scores for All Students

Eugene Kennedy is an Associate Professor of Educational Research Methodology at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is the Interim Chair for the Department of Educational Leadership, Research and Counseling. He teaches courses in educational measurement, statistics, and research. His current research interests include school effectiveness and accountability. He has published numerous articles and written several chapters in books. He has been a national consultant on test preparation for more than two decades.

Preface About the Author 1. A Review of the Nature of Standardized Tests A Brief History of Standardized Testing in America Basic Characteristics of a Standardized Test Conclusion Sources of Information and Additional Readings 2. Standardized Test Preparation for Schools: A Model The Bandwagon of School Change Lessons Learned and the Essential Elements of School Change A Model for Changing Student Outcomes on Standardized Tests Conclusion Sources of Information and Additional Readings 3. Adopting a Systemic Approach to Improvement and Change What Is Systemic Change? Creating an Environment for Positive Systemic Change Steps Toward Realizing Systemic Change for Test Preparation Conclusion Sources of Information and Additional Readings 4. Aligning with the Educational Process With Desired Outcomes Defining the Outcome Determining Information Needs of Stakeholders Collecting and Analyzing Data on School Test Preparation Practices Analyzing and Summarizing School Test Data Identifying and Prioritizing Problem Areas Conclusion Sources of Information and Additional Readings 5. Aligning the Educational Process With Inputs Techniques of Data Collection Factors Which Impede Standardized Test Performance Teacher and Staff Characteristics Which Impede Students' Standardized Test Performance Social and Environmental Factors Which Impede Students' Standardized Test Performance Conclusion Sources of Information and Additional Readings 6. Creating Positive Change Identify the Causes of the Problems Identify Solutions to the Problems Develop a School Improvement Plan Conclusion Sources of Information and Additional Readings 7. A Case Study of an Elementary School - Leslie Jones-Hamilton, Ph.D. The Setting Washington Elementary School Language Arts Percentile Ranks: Trends 8. Conclusion References Index