Exploring Teacher Licensure Exams and Educational Policy Influence

This chapter explores the licensure exam requirements for math educators in the U.S., focusing on middle and high school standards while also addressing the challenges for elementary teachers. It highlights strategies for influencing educational policy by engaging with stakeholders involved in policymaking.

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In this episode, host and math professor Anna Stokke interviews Mike Petrilli, President of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, about the role of standardized testing in K–12 education. They discuss the benefits and criticisms of standardized tests, the methodologies behind tests like NAEP, international comparisons with PISA and TIMSS, long-term trends in student performance, and the consequences of declines in student achievement.

Highlights include a discussion of Mississippi's educational success despite high poverty rates, and the potential influences of modern educational policies and smartphones. Mike Petrilli emphasizes the importance of accurate measurement for policymaking and shares advice on influencing educational policy. This episode is a must-listen for educators, policymakers, parents, and anyone interested in the future of education.

FREE WEBINAR: The Science of Math Instruction: Using Evidence-Based Practices in the Classroom, May 8, 2025. Registration link: https://home.edweb.net/webinar/mathskills20250508/

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00:00] Introduction

[00:03:18] Discussion on standardized testing

[00:06:14] Criticisms of standardized testing

[00:12:25] Frequency and levels of testing

[00:20:04] International perspectives on testing

[00:23:11] Understanding NAEP

[00:28:07] Recent trends in NAEP scores

[00:28:41] Impact of the pandemic

[00:31:16] Pre-pandemic declines

[00:32:26] Comparing international trends: PISA scores

[00:33:08] The role of smartphones