The Sound and Fury of Teacher Testing in Massachusetts

Abstract

In July 1998, the first-ever administration of the Massachusetts Educator Certification Test caused a furor. Harrington describes the initial decision to go forward with a statewide test, choosing a vendor, the decisions around the development of the test, and the consequences that resulted from the test administration. "The Sound and the Fury" is a case study of good intentions gone awry. The Massachusetts story teaches some critically important lessons that will help other states as they move forward in reforming teacher education.