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Discussion: With Choices Come Consequences
Author(s) -
Braun Henry
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
educational measurement: issues and practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.158
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1745-3992
pISSN - 0731-1745
DOI - 10.1111/j.1745-3992.2009.00162.x
Subject(s) - strengths and weaknesses , set (abstract data type) , criticism , context (archaeology) , legislation , positive economics , political science , management science , psychology , computer science , economics , social psychology , law , history , archaeology , programming language
The Growth Model Pilot Program (GMPP) was introduced as a response to criticism of the reliance of No Child Left Behind on status‐based indicators. Although incorporating a growth component appears to be a step in the right direction, it adds a level of complexity that brings to the fore new concerns. Three of the four papers in this special issue address different manifestations of a common problem: how choices related to implementation of the GMPP, made on technical or practical grounds, can have substantial consequences for schools and teachers. The fourth paper explicates a different approach to growth modeling. Together these papers add considerably to our understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of growth‐based indicators. In this discussion, I attempt to set these papers in a larger context before providing brief reviews. I conclude by arguing that the nation will be better served if policy makers appreciated the consequences of choices before they crafted legislation and the accompanying regulations.