Book Description

A hearing was held to consider the issues involved in funding the administration's proposals for certain educational testing. After opening remarks by Senators Kennedy (Massachusetts) , Specter (Pennsylvania), and Harkin (Iowa), the Secretary of Education, Richard W. Riley, spoke about the proposed tests. The Clinton Administration and Secretary Riley believe that a rigorous voluntary national testing system in fourth-grade reading and eighth-grade mathematics would determine how well students are achieving in basic skills. The proposed tests are an extension of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and would use the NAEP framework to hold students to high standards. Secretary Riley emphasized that these tests are voluntary and not designed to be part of a move toward a national curriculum. Senator Specter raised the question of delaying establishing the tests until a better national consensus is reached, and Senator Kennedy also commented favorably on the testing proposal. Senator Faircloth (North Carolina) questioned the usefulness of a voluntary test, and Senator Gregg (New Hampshire) questioned the participation of the Department of Education in the creation of the tests. Additional remarks were made by Senator Jeffords and Representative Goodling (Chairman of the Committee on Education of the House of Representatives), who opposes the voluntary national test. (SLD)