Laptop Initiatives and Standards (A Link)

I'm concerned that too few edubloggers discuss standards and standardized tests. I would imagine that many don't think that standardized tests are smart educational practice. But whether we like standards or not it is something that we have to discuss because standards are here to stay. If we don't link technology and standards mastery many teachers will not touch technology. They are forced to teach to the standards.

Musings From the Academy has a post today entitled "Laptop Initiatives and standardized Testing." The post states:

Unfortunately, I also work in a state where the TAKS
test directly and indirectly plays a part in just about every decision that is made by the teachers and administrators in our district. Trying to balance technology use and standardized test scores is challenging. Trying to convince the community, students, parents, teachers, and administrators that technology implementation is paramount even if there is no current data to illustrate that it raises test scores is even more difficult, so I can’t say I was thrilled when I read this article in the Dallas Morning News.

Take a look.