A Courant (CT) editorial argues passionately against standardized tests for college students:
In the measurement-happy world of federal accountability, the presidential Commission on the Future of Higher Education is thinking about taking educational testing theory to the next level. It is pondering federal standardized testing for colleges and universities to prove that students are learning...This is a chilling idea that completely misses the point of a college education in a free society. Higher education is a self-guided quest for knowledge. It is the students' responsibility to make the most of it, not the government's. Colleges and universities already meet rigorous standards to be accredited and to receive federal funds, and public institutions are required to meet state standards.
How is it possible to test all that a college student has learned?
It's not possible to test everything anyone has learned, but it's certainly possible to test some things. The question is, do we care? Do we care if someone graduates with a BA in Fine Arts and is a phenomenal sculptor, but not so great at spelling? Well, we certainly care when they aren't even willing to admit there are correct spellings. Do we care if someone graduates with a degree in Education but can't write a complete sentence? Well, yes, I'd say we do, at least if we're going to hire them to be around schoolchildren. And I'd be willing to argue that a college-level test of basic skills would give lie to those "rigorous standards" as listed above, at least for some college graduates, and would embarass the heck out of some degree programs. But given how tough it's been for states to create exams for the K-12 grades, and how tough it's been for them to get everyone on board with the content, standards, and stakes, I can't imagine anyone volunteering to actually produce these hypothetical college exams, no matter what the price.
Posted by kswygert at February 13, 2006 04:30 PM