I Test, Therefore, It Exists

If you thought that the orgy of tabulation that has infected our society had reached a climax already, hang on. It seems now that the only way the Congressional braintrust can come up with a plan to offer a crumb of credibility to the idea of teaching, say, art or music, would be to create a test for it so that the results can be used in AYP determinations. If it ain't tested, it ain't real. From Ed Week:

Advocates for broadening the curriculum hope a draft House proposal for reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act will give a boost to history, art, music, and other subjects that they believe have been marginalized in many districts under the 5½-year-old federal law.

The draft of changes to Part A of the Title I program, released by Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon, RCalif., and key colleagues late last month, features potential incentives for states to test students in core subjects other than those now required—mathematics, reading, and, beginning this school year, science.

“It’s a good start … and encouraging that Congressmen Miller and McKeon are showing sensitivity to the criticism that there has been a narrowing of the curriculum” under No Child Left Behind, said Jack Jennings, the president of the Center on Education Policy, and a former aide to House Democrats. “If school districts can include testing in other subjects [in gauging how well their schools are doing], it allows them to pay more attention to those other areas.” . . .

Now that's Unreal!