Shields, Patricia M.Featherston, Mark Davis2011-05-112012-02-242011-04Featherston, M. D. (2011). High-stakes testing policy in Texas: Describing the attitudes of young college graduates. Masters of Public Administration, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.https://hdl.handle.net/10877/3484An Applied Research Project Submitted to the Department of Political Science, Texas State University-San Marcos, in Partial Fulfillment for the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Public Administration, Spring 2011.Purpose: The purpose of this research is to describe the attitudes of young college graduates regarding the efficacy of high-stakes testing policy in Texas. Although statewide testing results suggest that public school students are showing academic improvement, assessing the effectiveness of high-stakes testing policy should consider more complex factors. This research uses the literature to develop a conceptual framework based on three categories or criteria for determining whether high-stakes testing policy is useful. These categories are student learning, student motivation, and student preparation for college. Methods: This study utilizes survey research to describe the attitudes of young college graduates in Texas. The survey was distributed to college graduates between the ages of 21-28 electronically, through email and the online social networking site, Facebook. Descriptive statistics were then used to analyze the results of the survey. Findings: Results indicate that the cohort of young college graduates surveyed have strong opinions regarding the efficacy of high-stakes testing policy. The majority of respondents disagreed that preparing for or participating in high-stakes testing was beneficial for their learning, motivation, or college preparation. Perhaps the most remarkable finding is that high-stakes testing did not stimulate these former Texas public school students' interest, engagement, or creativity in the classroom.Text101 pages1 file (.pdf)enhigh-stakes testingTexasstudent attitudesPublic AdministrationApplied Research Project