How will rationally behaving K-12 teachers behave if their pay is tied to standardized test score [View All]

Well, I have some ideas.

All classroom activities, lessons, readings and assignments will be organized around preparation for the Great Test. No creativity, no innovation and no originality. Just rote memorization and drill in preparation for the days of the Great Test. Students' grades will be based upon assignments and classroom tests that are designed around the preparation for the days of the Great Test.

You'll also see teachers trying to discourage poorly performing students from taking the tests at all. Like maybe telling them they don't have to come to school on test days, or reassigning them to independent study for a couple of days to get them out of the classroom.

Or perhaps teachers and administrators will find creatively drummed up reasons for having bad students expelled, or for the older students, encouraging them to drop out.

Teachers are like any other paid professional who will do what they have to do to earn a living.

And, BTW, I could certainly see older more sophisticated students who dislike their teacher conspiring to fail the tests so that their hated teacher gets slammed in the pocketbook. It could happen.