How Much Do Teachers Integrate Standards and Testing Into Their Teaching?
The 2000 Education Week survey of public school teachers cited above also indicates that teachers feel prepared to implement state standards in their classrooms, more so than in the previous year (Belden, Russonello, and Stewart Research and Communications 2000.) Almost all of the public school teachers (94 percent) reported that they have a copy of the statewide academic standards, and 84 percent said that they have modified their curriculum to reflect the standards (36 percent a “great deal” and 48 percent “somewhat”). A similar proportion said that they have adopted or developed modules, units, or lesson plans linked to the state standards. A significant amount of “teaching to the test” appears to occur, but using these tests as diagnostic tools is also quite widespread. Nearly 8 out of 10 teachers reported instructing their classes in the previous year in test-taking skills, such as pacing themselves and filling in bubbles clearly (45 percent “a great deal” and 34 percent “somewhat
