In the era of increased educational accountability, students are expected to demonstrate a level of proficiency on state administered, standardized tests. The purpose of this presentation is to address standardized testing issues surrounding the academic achievement gap among African American students. Research has demonstrated that placing students in certain academic tracks merely on their standardized test scores can have negative effects on students’ ability to excel in the classroom. The presenter will address other concerns, such as stereotype threat, that African American students face while taking high stakes test which can lead to poor performance.

1. Standardized Testing: Does It Contribute to the Academic Achievement Gap? James M. Thompson, PhD Lancaster County School District The State of the African American Male Conference Third Annual Fall Conference – November 6, 2009 Closing the Achievement Gap: Student Achievement and Success University of South Carolina Lancaster