Lawmakers to consider eliminating PACT

A bill will be introduced this week in the House to replace the end-of-the-year state test taken yearly by third- through eight-graders. Landrum Representative Bob Walker says the Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test would be replaced by an exam that gives teachers more detailed and timely information. Teachers and administrators have long criticized the PACT, saying the results don't come in until after the school year ends and no details are given on which subject areas students struggle or excel. The test is key to school and district ratings under state and federal accountability laws. Walker chairs the House Education Committee. He says his proposal would replace the PACT with another test beginning in 2010. The PACT has been given annually since 1999.
During State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex's campaign he talked about eliminating PACT and replacing it with a test that would improve state testing and help classroom teachers. I talked with education department spokesperson Jim Foster. He says Rex believes the change will bring dramatic changes to South Carolina's overall student assessment and school accountability systems. Foster says the bill is based on recommendations from two statewide task forces appointed by Rex last summer - one for testing and one for accountability. Foster says now superintendent Rex will help inform lawmakers on why this change is needed. Rex would like to see the change in 2009. The bill states 2010.
As a parent of a two children in the public school system, I want my children to receive the best education possible. Like most of the teachers I’ve talked to over the years, I believe PACT should be replaced with a better test. Teachers and parents want a test that helps educators identify a child’s weaknesses and strengths, and allows them to truly educate, rather than simply studying for one test.

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