Links
Resources For Understanding The Bigger Picture
- Reports Find Fault With High-Stakes Testing
Although high-stakes testing makes a quick political solution, see how the AIMS test may adversely affect students, teachers and schools. More Articles Found Here » - TEACHERS’ VIEWS ON HIGH-STAKES TESTING: IMPLICATIONS OR THE CLASSROOM
A good discussion about the outcomes of Floria’s aggressive education reform policies and how the teachers have perceived the effects of high-stakes testing in the clasroom. More Research and Writings Are Found Here » - Brainiacs: International Baccalaureate students learn that the best revenge for a nerd is a great education — in elitism
Brilliant article by Jimmy Magahern discussing the pomp and circumstance involved in schools trying to prove that they are something that they are not: successful. This postering often results in placing too much emphasis on conformity and elitism while ignoring talents of other students. (January 15, 2003, Phoenix New Times Volume 35, Number 3) - High-Stakes AIMS Is A Brutal Test That Hurts The Students
Excellent essay that discusses the impact that a high-stakes test based on past education standards has on Arizona’s future. (January 2003) - Report Cautions Against Moving Quickly On City-Wide Charter Systems
This may turn out to be a cautionary tale about the dangers of throwing all your eggs into one basket. (March 2004) - Editorial Cartoon About The AIMS Test
A brilliant cartoon drawn by Andrew Long basically summing up the significance of the AIMS Test. Copyright (C) 2003 Andrew Long. In a parody of the famous portrait of Issac Newton with an apple on his head, the main character is looking at the reader in wonder as arrows fly everywhere, missing the apple (their target) on his head. Courtesy of Ahwatukee Foothills News. (September 10, 2003) More AIMS-related articles can be found at Ahwatukee Foothills News Website » - ADE Test Preparation and Administration Practices
This is an 9-slide excerpt from the entire 68-slide Pre-Test Workshop PowerPoint Presentation that can be found on the Arizona Department of Education website. These guidelines were approved by the ADE on January 27, 2003. - Annual Report Finds Number Of For-Profit Schools Continues To Increase As Virtual Charter Schools Emerge As A New Trend In For-Profit Education
When students are failing and the state is unable to professionally meet the needs of the students, “entrepeneurs” come out of the woodwork and find ways to take your time and money. This is a good read. (February 2004) - Visual Representations: The Impact of a High Stakes Test
The author collected about 80 drawings created by Arizona public school educators regarding their views of the Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS). Very fascinating study done by a doctoral student at the Arizona State University College of Education. His findings are featured in “Held Hostage by High-Stakes Tests: Drawing as Symbolic Resistance” Teacher Education Quarterly (Volume 29, Number 4, Fall 2002, p. 69-72) - The AIMS Test and the Mathematics Actually Used by Arizona Employees
Very good article. Only 3 of the 43 managers questioned said that the AIMS Test included mathematics that is actually used by their employees. (October 2002)
Free Resources For Test Preparation
- AIMS Math Test Preparation Web Site (High School)
Information about taking the AIMS Math Test, including an Annotated Solutions Guide. - AIMS Practice Questions (Grades 3, 5 and
Practice questions are provided to your school district compliments of the Office of Youth Preparation/Project PRIME (OYP). - Official AIMS Home Page at Arizona Department of Education
The offical web site of the Arizona Department of Education that provides updates, guidelines, and administrative information about the AIMS test.
