In the summer of 2011, the Tennessee Department of Education contracted with the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) to provide a four-day training for all evaluators across the state. NIET trained more than 5,000 evaluators intensively in the state model (districts using alternative instruments delivered their own training).…

Points out the following problems with standardized testing and reforms at the middle school level: (1) misalignment of test-based reforms and standards-based reforms; (2) geographic disadvantages; and (3) disadvantages for learning disabled. Presents example of two students' standardized test scores as illustrations of the non-alignment problem.…