In just a few hours, the new state schools superintendent--a man named Randy Dorn--will announce his new vision for standardized testing in Washington. Dorn campaigned on the promise that he would revamp the public schools assessment strategy, replacing the often-criticized Washington Assessment of Student Learning with "a simpler, fairer test." So far, it looks like the 10 a.m. announcement will be related to his expected support of a bill before the state Senate this session that would create a three-part assessment system (including, yes, a "state-administered summative achievement assessment" of some kind) to replace the WASL. Fingers crossed that the new test and other measures will accomplish that perfect balance between tough and fair, and that Dorn can cut through all the politically correct educationese we find so repugnant to speak about our school systems honestly and directly. more ›