Candidate Questionnaire 8: Test Scores

In July, The Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education (NEIFPE) contacted all 21 of the candidates running for federal and state offices in NE Indiana to ask them for their views pertaining to education issues. Each was sent a survey of 10 questions. So far 7 have returned the surveys. If and when others respond, those will also be posted. The comments below are unedited and are the words and thoughts of the candidates. NEIFPE shares this information so voters will be able to make informed choices at the polls on November 4.

(NOTE: A copy of the original (blank) questionnaire may be found HERE.)

Question: Do you think standardized test scores are an adequate measure of education?

(Note: Candidates are listed by district, and by alphabetical order within districts)

Candidates for State Representative

Charles Odier, D-52: "No, some kids just don't do well on tests, I think how well the student does in everyday classes and how they feel about themselves is more important."

Phil GiaQuinta, D-80: "No. For example, every school is different. Some schools, like those in FWCS, have over 80% of their students on free and reduced lunch. You can't compare a school where the majority of the students speak Spanish against a school in SWAC where the average family income is extremely high."

Thad Gerardot, D-81: "No."

Mike Wilber, D-82: "Absolutely not. A students ability to learn or measure of success cannot be tied to a test score. A teachers effectiveness cannot be determined by a test score. We should provide the resources for all schools to hire and train professional evaluators to determine educators that may need some improvement. Teachers and parents should be the determining factor in the measure of a students success, not a standardized test."

Fred Haigh, D-84: "They have been more relevant in past decades than they are today. At best they are a predictor of future test taking success. It is difficult for standardized test scores to reveal creativity, curiosity, critical thinking skills, personality and leadership potential."

Candidates for State Senate

Jack Morris, D-15: "No."

Candidates for U. S. Representative

Justin Kuhnle, D-3: "No, test scores only show that a kid is either good or bad on taking a test, not on retention of learning, or the child could be having a bad day. Tests are skewed and cause unneeded anxiety in children and don't necessarily show the true potential of a child."

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The following candidates did not provide a response the the questions. (Answers from candidate questionnaires will be added to this page as they are returned.)

Candidates for State Representative
Dan Leonard, R-50
Dennis Zent, R-51
Benjamin Smaltz, R-52
Matt Lehman, R-79
Martin Carbaugh, R-81
David Ober, R-82
Christopher Judy, R-83
Bob Morris, R-84
Casey Cox, R-85

Candidates for State Senate
Dennis Kruse, R-14
Liz Brown, R-15
Jim Banks, R-17
Travis Holdman, R-19

Candidates for U.S. Representative
Marlin Stutzman, R-3

Complete Responses

Click the candidate's name below to see their entire questionnaire, including a statement of their vision for the future of education in Indiana. NOTE: Only those candidates who returned a questionnaire are listed.

INDIANA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• Charles Odier, candidate for Indiana House District 52
• Phil GiaQuinta, candidate for Indiana House District 80
• Thad Gerardot, candidate for Indiana House District 81
• Mike Wilber, candidate for Indiana House District 82
• Fred Haigh, candidate for Indiana House District 84

INDIANA SENATE

• Jack Morris, candidate for Indiana Senate District 15

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• Justin Kuhnle, candidate for U.S. Representative Indiana District 3

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