Inigo Montoya challenges common core testing program

Comment on Ed Week blog, ELLs Test-Drive New English-Language Proficiency Assessments

Posted at: http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/learning-the language/2014/06/wida_field_testing_new_english.html

Inigo Montoya: You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means. ...  (from: The Princess Bride).

We are told that ELLs are about to "test drive" the "New English-Language Proficiency Assessments." (June 5).

What does "test-drive" mean? I suspect it means that basic diagnostics such as internal reliability and item-analysis will be done. I suspect that it does not include the most important diagnostic: Validity, especially predictive validity.  Will there be any attempt to see if all this testing will do students any good?

Will the students be paid for their service?

Recommended reading (Outrageous self-promotion): Krashen, S. 2008. The fundamental principle: No unnecessary testing (NUT).  The Colorado Communicator vol 32,1. Page 7, 2008. Available for free download at: http://sdkrashen.com/articles.php?cat=4  (scroll down)