Test-grading change gets an A

The recommendation by a state panel to replace local, hand grading of standardized tests in New York with a centralized system designed to prevent tampering deserves a high mark.

Standardized tests are becoming more important nationally, and as the stakes rise, so has evidence of systematic cheating. Scandals have erupted in Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and elsewhere in which educators are accused of giving students answers, or erasing errors and filling in correct choices themselves.

In New York, the state's standardized test results will be used, beginning this year, as one factor in evaluating teachers, and New York is reportedly the only state in the nation where these tests are still graded locally.

The state administers about 6 million exams annually, at a cost of $38 million. Ending hand grading where possible and stopping local grading entirely would help detect cheating, and prevent it. The move would also cut costs and allow teachers to spend time helping students rather than grading tests. Computers can perform this task faster and better.

If there's cheating, this can help stop it. Even if there's not, it would save money.

Grumbling from educators about ending local scoring is troubling because it has nothing to do with helping the students, and everything to do with protecting the prerogatives and employment of teachers.

That answer doesn't make the grade. The Regents should approve this change.