More from Duncan's speech to the National PTA:

"Unlike in the past, our ESEA proposal also emphasizes measuring student growth, not just absolute test scores. I'm much more interested in growth and gain than in absolute test scores. I want to know how much individual students, schools, districts, and even whole states are improving each year."

So, he's still wedded to single annual standardized tests, and now “growth” in test scores will become high-stakes.

"The administration has also set aside up to $350 million for a special Race to the Top assessment competition. That competition will support state-led consortia to build a new generation of better assessments—to test not just basic skills on bubble tests, but the higher-order skills that students need to survive and thrive in the 21st century. This has never been done before. And these assessments must give us objective, real-time data on student progress—not just end-of-year results."

If you read Arne's words carefully, the “new generation of better assessments” will still include testing “basic skills on bubble tests” – but, he promises, not JUST basic skills on bubble tests.

He also talks about “real-time data on student progress” - which sounds a whole lot like the three-times-a-year bubble tests that Arne developed here in Chicago to help prep students for the annual state test.

So, where's the press for higher order skills assessments which have “never been done before”?

FairTest points out that the guidelines for applying for the $350 million “continue to focus on reading and math, continue annual testing in grades 3-8, continue to test every child instead of using sampling for accountability, and continue to be used as the virtually sole basis for high-stakes decisions. They also continue to prioritize large-scale tests.”

So, ArneSpeak on testing in is "new" ESEA? Sounds like more of the same.

Next: ArneSpeak on ESEA and parent involvement