Despite recent criticism by UC officials, the College Board trustees voted overwhelmingly to continue using the PSAT as a scholarship qualifier. The arguments used by those opposing the PSAT are exemplified here, where one critic makes it clear that he doesn't consider it fair that students from wealthier homes do better on tests.
Apparently, recent NY DOE practice math items were a lesson in spotting errors. Unreadable graphics, misspellings, items with no right answers...not a pretty sight. (The Powerline guys are succinct: "I assume that pretty much all fourth-graders can spell 'fourth.' So who in the world writes this stuff?"
Let me know if you can make heads or tails out of this coverage of an education-related speech by Professor Joel Spring of Queens College. I can't, especially the part about how competition in schools and intellectual freedom are somehow mutually exclusive. (Free reg required.)
In Northview, MI, they're using cool cereal bowls as part of the breakfast of champions, in order to facilitate learning (and improve test scores).
Another op-ed sees a link between increased emphasis on test scores and the Red Lake School massacre. I agree, though, that schools need to help students feel safe emotionally as part of the academic environment.
Posted by kswygert at March 25, 2005 10:05 AM