Charlie DePascale

Don’t Be Constrained by Constraints

We all know that large scale state testing is bound by constraints. Some might go so far as to argue that state testing is defined by these constraints. Time, cost, security, well-intentioned but ill-conceived federal regulations, and outdated peer review expectations all tightly shape the who, what, when, where, why, and how of state testing.Continue reading “Don’t Be Constrained by Constraints”

The Ernie Scale

Based on a true story In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Rich Hill and Stuart Kahl led their little company that could, Advanced Systems, in reimagining, reinventing, and reshaping large-scale state testing. We were a ragtag band of young idealists who didn’t know any better. Our successes and failures were spectacular. Little that weContinue reading “The Ernie Scale”

In The Interim

All signs indicate that we are entering a time of transition for large-scale state testing. Consensus on the need to reform state testing may be surpassed only by widespread agreement on the need to reinvent and reimagine public education in the United States. I hesitate to add the modifier K-12 or P-14 to state testingContinue reading “In The Interim”

Testonyms

In elementary school, first I learned about synonyms and antonyms. Synonym – Same; Antonym – Opposite; Got it. And synonym and antonym are such cool words – “and sometimes y.” It got a little more complicated with homonyms, which might be homophones (pronounced the same, differ in meaning or spelling), homographs (spelled the same, differContinue reading “Testonyms”

Those Crazy, Hazy, Lazy Days of Testing

Lived through those crazy, hazy, lazy days of testing Those days of W, Obama, and peers. Thrived on those crazy, hazy, lazy days of testing We thought state testing would always be here. [Fast forward through 20 years or so with carefree, upbeat verses] [End with one gloomier verse, maintain the upbeat tempo but aContinue reading “Those Crazy, Hazy, Lazy Days of Testing”

Why are Vertical Scales So Horizontal?

What images come to mind when you hear the word vertical? Is it the towering buildings that surround you when you attend a conference in New York City or Chicago? Is it your favorite ski run in Utah? Snowboarders soaring above the halfpipe a few months ago at the Olympics. Maybe that scene from TheContinue reading “Why are Vertical Scales So Horizontal?”

To Ron, With Love

How do you thank someone who was a constant presence in your career in large-scale testing from its very beginning in 1989 all the way through to 2018 when a conversation with him helped you realize it was time to move on to a new phase of your life? Where do I begin to tellContinue reading “To Ron, With Love”

Matrix Sampling: Resurrected

It is impossible to read an article or hear a presentation about the future of large-scale state testing without some discussion of matrix sampling. If your primary concerns about large-scale testing are time and cost, the answer is matrix sampling. If your primary concern is coverage of comprehensive and complex standards like the Next GenerationContinue reading “Matrix Sampling: Resurrected”

Measuring Measures and Measurers

I have to confess that I fell down a rabbit hole while writing my blog post this week. My original plan was to comment on a Hechinger Report article published late last month, Standardized tests in their current format are ‘incredibly antiquated, with the gripping subtitle, ‘Some experts suggest using this moment to change theContinue reading “Measuring Measures and Measurers”

Toward What End

I owe the 1990s an apology. No, not for canceling performance events as a tool in large-scale testing; leaving us vulnerable to No Child Left Behind and the advocates of selected-response tests. I’m not quite over that yet. We can work through those issues in a later post. What I need to apologize for todayContinue reading “Toward What End”