Fun for your Friday: Sample Common Core Questions

Ok, so “fun” might have been an overstatement for most people. Personally, I sometimes like to take sample standardized tests. This serves the dual purpose of giving me a better understanding of the tests I so often write about, as well as stimulating me to think about facts and concepts I don’t use very often. Plus, it sure beats sifting through documents, amiright?

In seriousness, I think it’s a good exercise for everyone who claims to have an educated opinion about education matters. I think we should look at the questions we are asking kids to answer, and think critically about whether it matches up with our values and definitions of what an educated person should know.

So anyway, I was writing this story about the costs of upgrading APS technology in preparation for Common Core standards. The new standards will be accompanied by a new test, which students will take on computers instead of bubble sheets. I started exploring the benefits of taking tests on computers, and was directed to look at actual sample questions. Check them out here, and just scroll down to choose the grade level and subject that interests you.

NAEP, which administers the only standardized test taken by students in every state, also releases sample test items that can be taken online. I’m working on a story now about a new NAEP report on students’ vocabulary skills, which you can check out tomorrow. But in the meantime, maybe try your own hand at some questions.