Perceptions of Test Score Pollution Stemming From COVID-19 and State Testing: An Exploratory Case Study.

This article, published in the American Journal of Qualitative Research, explores teachers' and administrators' perceptions of test score pollution resulting from COVID-19-related issues that may affect students' performance on state standardized tests. The study sample included middle and high school teachers and administrators, and data was collected through semi-structured interviews. The analysis revealed themes such as inadequate preparation for standardized tests, devaluing of education, understanding students' emotional well-being, providing data-driven support, questioning test validity, and recognizing disparities among students. The article discusses the use of standardized tests in decision-making and the validity of these tests, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. [Extracted from the article]