Test prep can't teach what students need

Talk about a compelling argument against this nation's obsession with prepping for standardized tests:

Intensive prep for the ACT exam in Chicago's public schools not only failed to boost ACT scores, but actually dragged them down, according to a University of Chicago study to be released today.

Kids in schools where 11th-grade teachers spent a month or more prepping for the ACT college entrance exam scored slightly lower than comparable students in schools with significantly less test prep, data from 2005 and 2007 indicate.

That means 11th-grade teachers, typically under orders from principals, used up precious English, math and science instructional time for endless practice tests -- a decision that proved harmful to the very kids they were trying to help.

Rigorous instruction in those core subjects, coupled with strong performance in class, it turns out, is the best prep for the ACT.

Knowing this, CPS leaders, principals and teachers must rid classes of test prep and focus solely on improving teaching and learning.

High schoolers are highly motivated to succeed on the ACT, the researchers found. But the excessive focus on test prep obscures this crucial message: that acing their classes is what really matters. Eighty-three percent of Chicago juniors erroneously think ACT scores are primarily determined by test-taking skills.

Chicago Schools CEO Arne Duncan says he's on board. That's why, he says, CPS launched an overhaul of curriculum and instruction in its weakest high schools two years ago. Its under way in 25 schools, with a goal of reaching 65 to 75 schools by 2011.

"The entire point of the high school transformation is to get away from this notion that a bunch of test prep is sufficient," Duncan said. "We think it's totally insufficient."

Duncan also said CPS has moved test prep after school and on Saturdays, though the consortium found that test prep outside of class didn't prove useful, except modestly in English. General familiarity with the test is helpful, but the ACT isn't designed to be influenced by test prep, other studies tell us.

Researchers found pervasive use of test prep during class as recently as last year. At Harper High School, all 11th-grade teachers were required to spend 30 minutes each day on test prep, two teachers told us.

To what end? To lower scores, we now know.

Let's end the madness and get back to the basics.