This article examines why taxpayers never hear the amount of money spent on state testing.
Education Budget Problems
Why is it that I, as a taxpayer of Mississippi, have never heard the amount of money that is spent on state testing?
Besides the fact that the number of dollars spent on testing each year is astronomical, it is almost ridiculous. States could easily trim its state assessment budget and pump this money into schools, improve teacher pay, recruit more qualified teachers, and retain experienced teachers.
Using the ACT/SAT as an Exit Exam
Realistically, states could use the ACT or the SAT as their exit exam. This would leave millions of dollars left over for the education budget and improve those aspects of their educational systems that are lagging behind other states. Improving these areas would certainly improve education. If teachers are better paid, the profession will be more enticing and alluring for individuals who really want to teach and are passion about the profession.
Expenses Pertaining to State Testing
But, with regard to testing, Mississippi has completely revamped its state tests since their initiation in the early 2000’s. In addition to the money spent on developing tests, the state dept has increased its size, adding personnel to monitor its department of student assessment. One also must consider the amount of money spent on contracts with those companies that develop the tests, those companies that score the tests, and those companies that study and evaluate the results
Now, we must also remember the other expenses that states incur as a result of state testing—the money that goes into producing the testing documents. This number alone is alarming as it involves printing testing booklets for students, parent information guides, and testing guides for teachers. Not only does the state department spend money on documents produced, but the state department also hosts several seminars and workshops that pertain to testing.
Time to Look for Cost-Effective Solutions
Again, we, as taxpayers, are footing this bill, and very little is ever said about how much money is spent on testing or how it is spent. The bottom line is there are cost-effective solutions that could be implemented.