Just because success on standardized tests strongly correlates with family income, doesnt mean it is NOT a valid test.
Just because something turns up data that is non-PeeCee, doesnt mean it is WRONG.
Common sense check:
People who come from wealthier homes, tend to do better in school, and be better educated.
Well, DUH! This is because the schools they go to are better, and the parents are more involved, leading to better achievement.
If this fact bothers you, and you want to do something about it, then the first step to correct it, is to measure the difference in achievement . The next step is to then take new measures to improve achievement in lower-income areas.
You MUST HAVE proper measurement of results, if you wish to determine methods of meaningful, effective change! This is basic science!
If instead, you throw out tests results that you dont like, because they somehow don't sit well with your politically biased beliefs... then you are a zealot on a mission. A mission whose core goal is "pretend everyone is the same", rather than *ACTUALLY HELP CHILDREN*.
PS: the claims of "randomness" are completely bogus. What they might mean is, "they dont match up with the criteria that we, the school board, decide to claim as being 'the best teachers'".
As a parent, however, the material on the tests, exactly corresponds to my definition of what my child should be learning.
Math skills. Reading comprehension.
If the teachers are "teaching to the test".. well, good! they are then teaching my child useful skills, rather than most of the utter garbage in the current curriculum.
Does my child need to learn how to make cute little paper-mache buildings? NO, TEACH THEM HOW TO DO MATH AND READ, for #$#@ SAKE! Not to mention logic!
And yes, I am a real parent, with 3 children, this is not some "hypothetical child" argument.
It's because they don't teach children proper math and comprehension skills, that the majority of voters are a bunch of idiot sheep who are easily lead into voting for dumb and dumber.