Idaho Drops High Stakes Science Tests

Texas implemented its first high stakes science test for public school students in 2003, and within a few years rolled out all the science TAKS tests we give now. Texas students take science TAKS in 5th, 8th, 10th and 11th grade, with only the 11th grade Exit TAKS being high stakes for students (a graduation requirement). All of our science TAKS tests are high stakes for schools, as each of them is part of the school's state accountability rating, while none of them figure into their federal AYP rating.

Idaho has a different idea as to the importance of high stakes science tests. Just when you think no state has more religious nuts than Texas trying to control the State's education system, we can thank God we are not Idaho, with Mormons flipping out over science tests. Or, for those who are not fans of high stakes testing, maybe the lesson is that we need to grow our Mormon sub-pop.

An article in the Idaho Statesman paints a picture of a state that has:

• District created science tests for all 5th and 7th graders (not a common state mandated test)
• A state created/mandated test for 10th graders, with no requirement to pass in order to graduate
• Students who perform more poorly in science than in math or reading on standardized achievement tests
• A graduation requirement of three years of math and science (Texas requires four years of both)

Idaho is moving towards end of course exams in science that students would have to pass in order to graduate, but those do not kick in until 2017.

This all sounded to me like, well, OK, this is different from Texas and it gave me pause for thought about where we would in regards to science education in Texas if science wasn't a big part of our accountability system, when I read this (bolded emphasis mine):

That proficiency requirement was part of an effort to boost math and science requirements in 2007, ending a yearlong battle to raise standards that divided churches, educators and some parents. It required students, starting with the class of 2013, to take more math and science classes to graduate high school.

A similar proposal failed in 2006, in part because some groups, including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, feared it would cut into religious training after school. Others feared children would have to scale back activities like band or art.

So there's another state with religious fanatics controlling education policy. The discussion about high stakes testing for graduation and school accountability needs to happen everywhere, but it's a shame when the conversation is about teaching less science in order to protect religious interests.

God bless school children who can't vote, and are at the mercy of small minded adults.