David Letterman always gets a good laugh with his “Top Ten Reasons” monologue. He focuses the audience’s attention on important issues with a twist of humor. Since the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction is again administering tests, it is appropriate to draw our collective attention to the subject of state testing. However, this is no laughing matter.

Third- through eighth-graders in public schools take end-of-grade tests, and high school students take end-of-course tests. The accountability program for North Carolina relies heavily upon these tests. Rewards and sanctions are given to local systems. Each school is classified based upon the results of students’ performance on EOGs and EOCs. Every student, parent, teacher, principal, and taxpayer waits with anticipation as these results are evaluated and published statewide.

However, there is one simple, but important factor kept from public scrutiny. The tests are never released after being administered. So, how can the public be assured of quality testing? Someone once said, “Trust but verify.” Verification raises the level of confidence that stakeholders expect where high stakes testing is concerned. Here are my “Top Ten Reasons” why these North Carolina tests should be released to the public:

10) Keeps North Carolina on the leading edge of testing candor. Look at Virginia and Texas: www.pen.k12.va.us, and www.tea.state.tx.us. Their websites allow easy access to the most recently released tests. Go to their home page and the tests are easy to find. Go to North Carolina’s website, www.dpi.state.nc.us, and if you know how to do an advanced search you will find that NCDPI has released a group of items “similar” to those that appear on the tests.

9) Improves test security. A new test would be generated every year.

8) Improves parent and educator understanding of how standards are tested.

7) Removes doubt that something is being hidden from parents.

6) Saves the department from administering the test security agreement. If one signs, they agree not to discuss the test without prior written consent of NCDPI.

5) Ensures alignment of tests with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.

4) Validates the expectation of parents regarding proficiency level. Parents would be able to see whether the academic rigor of the tests matches their expectation.

3) Raises credibility for North Carolina’s accountability program, called the ABCs.

2) Matches protocol of other high-stakes tests. There are released forms of the PSAT, the SAT, and North Carolina driver’s license tests available.

1) Abides by the North Carolina State Public Records law, General Statutes Chapter 132. If it is defined as a “public record” then all tests should be released immediately after being administered. Even “confidential communications” are eligible for release after three years. It is the law.

The reason purported for not releasing previously administered tests is cost. NCDPI claims they do not have resources available to develop a new test every year. With all the attention and money invested in the tests, why not make every effort to increase confidence in NCDPI’s accountability program? Letterman might come up with Ten More Reasons to release the NCDPI’s tests. His reasons might just be funny.