Normally, when I read an newspaper article about a student who's been struggling with a standardized test and keeps coming in just under the wire, I'm pretty unemotional. Yes, that sucks, but a cutscore's a cutscore. While the setting of the cutscore is a delicate process, there will always be someone who just missed out no matter how it's set, and I'm usually willing to defend the process against that unlucky fellow who's just a point or two too low.
But I really don't want this guy mad at me:
All that stands between Garry Williams and a spot on the University of Kentucky's football team is a point on a standardized test. And it makes Williams downright mad. Not necessarily mad about the test or the NCAA's entrance requirements that call for student-athletes to achieve a minimum grade-point average and test score. Just ticked that he's not playing football at UK.Williams could be entering his sophomore season at UK and likely competing for a starting job on the Wildcats' offensive line. Based on the billing he earned as a first-team All-State performer at Seneca High School, Williams might even be a returning starter.
But the NCAA no longer allows "partial qualifiers" -- athletes who meet only one of the two minimums for grade-point average and standardized test score...
The article emphasizes that neither Williams nor his father used this opportunity to bash the test (in this case, the ACT), which is admirable. But Williams is mad, and who could blame him? Who's to say what might happen should he get more and more frustrated with the studying, and then one day happen to (gulp!) meet a psychometrician in the street?
Full disclosure, Williams - I don't work for ACT. Now put down the barbell. Please?
Knowing how badly he's needed only adds to the frustration...Garry Williams Sr. said. "To be honest, he's ready to strap on the pads and hit somebody."
Aaaaaah!
Posted by kswygert at July 20, 2005 06:23 PM