Chalk & Talk A decade of decline: Examining falling test scores with Mike Petrilli (Ep 45)
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Apr 11, 2025 
In a captivating discussion, Mike Petrilli, President of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, shares his insights on the decline in standardized test scores and the complex role of assessments in K–12 education. He highlights Mississippi's educational strides despite poverty, contrasts U.S. scores with international benchmarks like PISA, and examines the impacts of the pandemic. Petrilli emphasizes the necessity of accurate assessments for effective policymaking and offers strategies for influencing educational policy—a must-listen for anyone invested in educational reform.
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Importance of Standardized Tests
- Standardized tests measure skills crucial for future success, like employment and civic engagement.
- These skills are malleable, meaning schools can influence how much students learn.
Evolution of Standardized Tests
- Early standardized tests were often low-level and easily gamed, leading to ineffective teaching practices.
- Modern tests are more rigorous, requiring actual mastery of the material to succeed.
Tests Reveal, Don't Cause Gaps
- Standardized tests reveal achievement gaps, but they don't cause them.
- These tests act as a messenger, highlighting areas needing improvement.