Weigh in on School Testing

By Mike Sherry, The Kansas City Star, Mo.

Apr. 10–Officials from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will be in the Kansas City area this week to gather feedback on proposed changes in high school testing.

Two-hour public meetings are scheduled for Liberty, Warrensburg and St. Joseph, in addition to other communities around the state. The public is invited to comment.

The department is considering using a modified version of the ACT, a college entrance exam, to test high school juniors. It would replace the Missouri Assessment Program, which now is taken by sophomores and juniors, along with students in lower grades.

The move, which would require approval by the state Board of Education, is aimed at encouraging students to take the high school tests more seriously.

Test results play a big role in state and federal evaluations of schools and districts.

The meetings:

— 3 p.m. Wednesday: Keatley Center, 1202 S. 28th St., St. Joseph.

— 9 a.m. Thursday: Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, 1600 N. Missouri 291, Liberty.

— 2 p.m. Thursday: Warrensburg High School auditorium, 1411 S. Ridgeview Drive, Warrensburg.

To reach Mike Sherry, call (816) 234-7806 or send e-mail to msherry@kcstar.com.

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