Does Testing Miss the Mark? w/Akil Bello

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Largely, K-12 testing is not beneficial to students and families. They don't get back any level of specificity that allows for study, development, and improvement…But that should be the goal of a test, right?

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Our guest on the Grow Beyond Grades podcast is Akil Bello, an expert in educational access with over 30 years of experience. Akil began his career as a test proctor in 1990 and has since held roles from CEO to consultant, working to improve outcomes for underserved students.

As the founding partner of Bell Curves, Akil focused on helping underrepresented students succeed in high-stakes testing. After selling his company, he became Director of Equity and Access at a major test prep firm, helping schools and organizations navigate standardized testing challenges.

Currently, Akil is the Senior Director of Advocacy and Advancement at FairTest, where he advocates for more equitable and responsible testing practices.

Resources

• Akil’s website: akilbello.com

• Articles by Akil Bello:

  • How Test Publishers Are Poised To Profit From Pandemic “Learning Loss”

  • The Challenge of Succeeding as a Black Student in America

  • Why The First Varsity Blues Trial Really Matters