TESTING
Alternatives
Question 1: In your opinion, which one of the following methods would provide the most accurate picture of a public school student's academic progress? (Asked in: 1999, 2008, 2015.)
[Code: 770-TesAX-1]
National Totals | |||||
| Year | Examples of the Student's Work % | Scores on Standardized Local and State Achievement Tests % |
Letter Grades Awarded by the Teacher % |
Written Observations by the Teacher |
Don't Know % |
| 2015 | 38 |
16 |
21 |
26 |
-- |
| 2008 | 32 |
21 |
16 |
25 |
6 |
| 1999 | 33 | 27 |
23 |
14 |
3 |
Public School Parents |
|||||
| Year | Examples of the Student's Work % |
Scores on Standardized Local and State Achievement Tests % |
Letter Grades Awarded by the Teacher % |
Written Observations by the Teacher |
Don't Know % |
| 2015 | 37 |
16 |
22 |
25 |
-- |
| 2008 | 36 |
20 |
15 |
24 |
5 |
| 1999 | 30 |
27 |
27 |
14 |
2 |
Question 2: In your opinion, which is the best way to measure student academic achievement : By means of test scores, or by classroom work and homework? (Asked in: 2000, 2001, 2002.)
[Code: 769-TesAX-2]
National Totals | ||||
| Year | By Means of Test Scores % | By Classroom Work and Homework % |
Both Combined (Volunteered) |
Don't Know % |
| 2002 | 26 | 53 |
20 |
1 |
| 2001 | 31 | 65 |
-- |
4 |
| 2000 | 26 |
68 |
-- |
6 |
Question 3: Which one of these do you think is the best way to measure student academic achievement -- with a single standardized test, by a combination of both standardized and teacher-designed tests, or by portfolios of students' work and other demonstrations of academic competence? (Asked in: 2000.)
[Code: 771-TesAX-3]
National Totals |
||||
| Year | Single Standardized Test % |
Combination of Standardized and Teacher-Designed Tests % |
Portfolios of Students' Work and Other Demonstrations of Academic Competence |
Don't Know % |
| 2000 | 13 |
41 |
44 |
2 |
Decline in SAT Scores
Question 4: The national tests that have been given to students throughout the nation indicated that students today do not have as high scores as they had a few years ago in many subject areas. What do you think is the reason for this? (Asked in: 1975.)
[Code: 772-TesDX-4]
| Students' lack of interest/motivation | 29% | ||
| Lack of discipline in the home and school | 28% |
||
| Poor curriculum (too easy, not enough emphasis on basics) | 22% |
||
| Inadequate teachers, uninterested teachers | 21% |
||
| Too many outside interests, including TV | 8% |
||
| Miscellaneous, including integration, overcrowding, drugs, etc. | 13% |
||
| No opinion | 13% |
||
Dropouts and Testing for Promotion
Question 5: Just your impression -- which children are more likely to drop out of school: those who fail achievement tests and have to repeat a grade, or those who fail achievement tests and are promoted anyway? (Asked in: 1990.)
[Code: 773-TesDX-5]
National Totals | |||
| Year | More of Those Who Repeat a Grade Will Drop Out % | More of Those Promoted Anyway Will Drop Out % | Don't Know % |
| 1990 | 32 | 54 | 14 |
Emphasis on Testing
Question 6: Now, here are some questions about testing. In your opinion, is there too much emphasis on achievement testing in the public schools in this community, not enough emphasis on testing, or about the right amount? (Asked in: 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008.)
[Code: 774-TesEX-6]
National Totals | ||||
| Year | Too Much % | Not Enough % |
About the Right Amount % |
Don't Know % |
| 2008 | 37 |
23 |
34 |
6 |
| 2007 | 43 |
15 |
40 |
2 |
| 2006 | 39 | 25 |
33 |
3 |
| 2005 | 36 | 17 |
40 |
7 |
| 2004 | 32 |
22 |
40 |
6 |
| 2002 | 31 |
19 |
47 |
3 |
| 2001 | 31 |
22 |
44 |
3 |
| 2000 | 30 |
23 |
43 |
4 |
| 1997 | 20 |
28 |
48 |
4 |
Public School Parents |
||||
| Year | Too Much % |
Not Enough % |
About the Right Amount % |
Don't Know % |
| 2008 | 44 |
12 |
42 |
3 |
| 2007 | 52 |
10 |
38 |
0 |
| 2006 | 45 |
17 |
37 |
1 |
Exemptions
Question 7: As I read off each of the following groups, please tell me whether or not you would exempt that group from this test -- students in bilingual education, students in vocational education, students in special education. (Asked of those saying some students should be exempt.) (Asked in: 2000.)
[Code: 775-TesEX-7]
National Totals | |||
| Year | Students in Bilingual Education % | Students in Vocational Education % | Students in Special Education % |
| 2000 | 31 | 36 | 93 |
Grade Promotion
Question 8: In your opinion, should children be promoted from grade to grade only if they can pass examinations? (Asked in: 1978, 1983, 1984, 1990.)
[Code: 778-TesGX-8]
National Totals | |||
| Year | Yes % | No % | Don't Know % |
| 1990 | 67 | 29 | 4 |
| 1984 | 71 | 25 | 4 |
| 1983 | 75 |
20 |
5 |
| 1978 | 68 |
27 |
5 |
Question 9: Do you favor or oppose using a single standardized test in the public schools in your community to determine whether a student should be promoted from grade to grade? (Asked in: 2001.)
[Code: 777-TesGX-9]
National Totals | |||
| Year | Favor % | Oppose % | Don't Know % |
| 2001 | 53 | 45 | 2 |
High School Diploma
Question 10: Should all high school students in the U.S. be required to pass a standard nationwide examination in order to get a high school diploma? (Asked in: 1988.)
[Code: 781-TesHX-10]
National Totals | |||
| Year | Yes % | No % | Don't Know % |
| 1988 | 73 | 22 | 5 |
Question 11: Many states have instituted tests that must be passed as a requirement for high school graduation. In some states, these tests apply to all students -- including those in bilingual, vocational, and special education. Assuming your state requires such a test, do you think all students should be required to pass the test or should some students be exempted? (Asked in: 2000.)
[Code: 780-TesHX-11]
National Totals | |||
| Year | All Students Should Be Required to Pass the Test % | Some Students Should Be Exempted From the Test % | Don't Know % |
| 2000 | 63 | 33 | 4 |
Question 12: How about for a high school diploma? Do you favor or oppose using a single standardized test in the public schools in your community to determine whether a student should receive a high school diploma? (Asked in: 2001, 2004.)
[Code: 779-TesHX-12]
National Totals | |||
| Year | Favor % | Oppose % | Don't Know % |
| 2004 | 51 | 47 | 2 |
| 2001 | 57 | 42 | 1 |
Question 13: Some states are requiring high school students to pass a graduate qualifying exam in order to graduate from high school. Would you favor or oppose having such a requirement for all the high schools in your community? (Asked in: 2006.) [Code: 834-TesHX-13]
National Totals | |||
| Year | Favor Having Required Exam % | Oppose Having Required Exam % | Don't Know % |
| 2006 | 63 | 36 | 1 |
Question 14: Historically, students have been required to attend school for four years in order to receive a high school diploma. Which approach would you prefer for awarding a high school diploma -- for completing four years of high school, or for passing proficiency tests that would show mastery of academic skills? (Asked in: 2008.)
[Code: 859-TesIX-14]
National Totals |
|||
| Year | Complete Four Years of High School % |
Passing Proficiency Test % |
Don't Know % |
| 2008 | 46 |
49 |
5 |
Public School Parents |
|||
| Year | Complete Four Years of High School % |
Passing Proficiency Test % |
Don't Know % |
| 2008 | 45 |
50 |
5 |
International Comparisons
Question 15: Now, here is a question about student achievement in mathematics. Just your impression, do you think student achievement in mathematics in U.S. public schools is higher than that of students in public schools in other developed countries (such as Germany, Great Britain, and Japan), lower than in these countries, or about the same? How about student achievement in reading? Just your impression, do you think student achievement in reading in U.S. public schools is higher than that for students in public schools in other developed countries (such as Germany, Great Britain, and Japan), lower than in these countries, or about the same? (Asked in: 1996.)
[Code: 783-TesIX-15]
National Totals: Mathematics Achievement | ||||
| Year | Higher in U.S. % | Lower in U.S. % |
About the Same % |
Don't Know % |
| 1996 | 7 | 69 |
19 |
5 |
National Totals: Reading Achievement |
||||
| Year | Higher in U.S. % |
Lower in U.S. % |
About the Same % |
Don't Know % |
| 1996 | 8 |
54 |
34 |
4 |
Question 16: Now, here are some questions about the public schools in other countries. Just based on your impressions, or what you may have heard or read, what grade would you give the public schools in Europe -- A, B, C, D, or FAIL? (Asked in: 2008.)
[Code: 866-TesIX-16]
National Totals |
||||||
| Year | A % |
B % |
C % |
D |
FAIL |
Don't Know % |
| 2008 | 12 |
36 |
15 |
2 |
1 |
34 |
Public School Parents |
||||||
| Year | A % |
B % |
C % |
D |
FAIL |
Don't Know % |
| 2008 | 15 |
33 |
14 |
2 |
2 |
34 |
Question 17: How about the public schools in Asia? Just based on your impressions, what grade would you give the public schools in Asia -- A, B, C, D, or FAIL? (Asked in: 2008.)
[Code: 867-TesIX-17]
National Totals |
||||||
| Year | A % |
B % |
C % |
D |
FAIL |
Don't Know % |
| 2008 | 27 |
25 |
12 |
2 |
2 |
32 |
Public School Parents |
||||||
| Year | A % |
B % |
C % |
D |
FAIL |
Don't Know % |
| 2008 | 26 |
24 |
13 |
3 |
3 |
31 |
Question 18: Again, just based on your impression, or what you might have heard or read, where do American high school students rank in math and science achievement compared to those in other developed countries -- near the top, in the middle, or at the bottom? (Asked in: 2008.)
[Code: 868-TesIX-18]
National Totals: Math and Science Achievement |
||||
| Year | Higher in U.S. % |
Lower in U.S. % |
About the Same % |
Don't Know % |
| 2008 | 7 |
54 |
35 |
4 |
Public School Parents: Math and Science Achievement |
||||
| Year | Higher in U.S. % |
Lower in U.S. % |
About the Same % |
Don't Know % |
| 2008 | 9 |
56 |
33 |
2 |
Question 19: How about in terms of their reading and writing skills, where do American high school students rank in reading and writing skills -- near the top, in the middle, or at the bottom? (Asked in: 2008.)
[Code: 869-TesIX-19]
National Totals: Reading and Writing Skills |
||||
| Year | Higher in U.S. % |
Lower in U.S. % |
About the Same % |
Don't Know % |
| 2008 | 13 |
57 |
25 |
5 |
Public School Parents: Reading and Writing Skills |
||||
| Year | Higher in U.S. % |
Lower in U.S. % |
About the Same % |
Don't Know % |
| 2008 | 12 |
60 |
25 |
3 |
Question 20: How about in terms of their creativity and problem-solving abilities, where do American high school graduates rank in their creativity and problem-solving abilities compared to those in other developed countries -- near the top, in the middle, or at the bottom? (Asked in: 2008.)
[Code: 870-TesIX-20]
National Totals: Creativity and Problem-Solving |
||||
| Year | Higher in U.S. % |
Lower in U.S. % |
About the Same % |
Don't Know % |
| 2008 | 23 |
51 |
19 |
7 |
Public School Parents: Creativity and Problem-Solving |
||||
| Year | Higher in U.S. % |
Lower in U.S. % |
About the Same % |
Don't Know % |
| 2008 | 26 |
51 |
19 |
4 |
International Tests
Question 21: The results of a test known as the Program for International Student Assessment, or PISA, were released last December. The test measures the achievement of students living in 65 countries, including the United States. Do you remember reading or hearing about these test scores when they were released? (Asked in: 2014.)
[Code: 978-TesIX-21]
National Totals |
|||
| Year | Yes % |
No % |
Don't Know % |
| 2014 | 30 |
70 |
- |
Question 22: How do you think students in the United States performed on this international test as compared to students in other countries? Do you think that U.S. students scored higher than students in most of the nations, U.S. student scores were in the middle of the rankings of student scores, or U.S. students scored lower than students in most of the nations. (Asked in: 2014.)
[Code: 979-TesIX-22]
National Totals |
||||
| Year | U.S. students ranked higher than students in other nations % |
U.S. students in the middle of the rankings % |
U.S. students ranked lower than students in other nations % |
Don't Know/refused % |
| 2014 | 3 |
46 |
50 |
0 |
Question 23: [The results of a test known as the Program for International Student Assessment, or PISA, were released last December. The test measures the achievement of students living in 65 countries, including the United States. ]
Using a five-point scale, where 5 means strongly agree and 1 means strongly disagree, please indicate your level of agreement with each of the following statements about the PISA international test comparisons.
1. International comparison tests such as PISA accurately measure student achievement across nations.
2. Understanding how students are taught in other countries could help improve schools in my community.
3. International test comparisons are critical to helping improve schools in this country. (Asked in: 2014.)
[Code: 977-TesIX-23]
National totals |
||||||
| Year |
Strongly agree (5) % |
(4) % |
(3) % |
(2) % |
Strongly disagree (1) % |
Don't know/refused % |
1. International comparison tests such as PISA accurately measure student achievement across nations. | ||||||
| 2014 | 8 |
21 |
43 |
16 |
11 |
1 |
2. Understanding how students are taught in other countries could help improve schools in my community. | ||||||
| 2014 | 40 |
34 |
15 |
5 |
5 |
1 |
3. International test comparisons are critical to helping improve schools in this country. | ||||||
| 2014 | 17 |
29 |
29 |
13 |
11 |
0 |
Question 24: In your opinion, is there too much emphasis on standardized testing in the public schools in your community, not enough emphasis on testing, or about the right amount? (Asked in: 2015.)
[Code: 991-Tes1EX-24] Online poll
National Totals |
||||
| Year | Too much emphasis on standardized testing % |
Not enough emphasis on standardized testing % |
The right amount of emphasis on standardized testing % |
Don't Know/refused % |
| 2015 | 64 |
7 |
19 |
10 |
Question 25: Thinking about testing, do you support or oppose allowing public school parents to excuse their children from taking standardized state tests? (Asked in: 2016.)
[Code: 1015-Tes1SO-25] Phone poll
National Totals |
|||
| Year | Support % |
Oppose % |
Don't Know/refused % |
| 2016 | 37 |
59 |
4 |
Question 26: In addition to being assessed on their academic performance, do you think students should or should not also be assessed on skills such as being cooperative, respectful of others, and persistent at solving problems? (Asked in: 2017.)
[Code: 1042-Tes1AX-26]
National Totals |
|||
| Year | Should % |
Should not % |
Don't Know/refused % |
| 2017 | 84 |
14 |
3 |
View more questions related to TESTING
Last modified
July 5, 2018
k_q_testing_1.htm