Posted on 04/16/2014 5:18:01 AM PDT by reaganaut1
Nice. Lemme see. What do you call a 4-legged, furry animal that says ‘Meow’? I got it — cat!!! C-A-T!!!
I’m a jeenyus!!! Give me a gubbermint job!!!!
Nothing like dumbing-down tests to make ya feel smarter!
“What fo dat woord?”
This thread is pedantic. (Google it)
They can use different words—but math is still math.
This jejune thread is enervating.
Obscure words are fine for masters and doctoral theses, specialized technical writing, and specific legal terms.
As a person who has handled analyses of millions of dollars worth of assets, the key in writing an understandable report is to write at a 12 year old level. Words of 3 syllables or less unless absolutely necessary. Words that clearly state the findings and meanings you are trying to convey.
The extreme use of obscure legal terms, for example, has led to the requirement that contracts be written in common language.
The change in requirements do not reflect a ‘dumbing down’ of the test. Rather a reflection of what an individual will typically use in 98% of their college life.
(used to be a college test prepper) Those “obscure words” are fair if they’re presented in context and the student has to ascertain their meaning from that. They’re fair in analogies if roots, prefixes and suffixes make it reasonable to figure out their meaning. But multiple choice lists for the meaning?....it does disadvantage students whose language skills did not originate in very erudite environments.
No, math is not still math under “common core.” Now there are “friendly numbers” !!!
I refuse to engage in blatant sesquipedalianism.
Some would call that obtuse.
The purpose of a high standard is to differentiate the levels of acquired intelligence and achievement so that selective schools can identify the very best students among the merely competent ones. Inclusion of some obscure words helped to set those truly superior students apart in fields where language mastery is valued. Thanks to politically correct pressure, the SAT will soon measure only a level of functional competence in language, with excellence ignored and therefore eventually discouraged. When those who are average demand and get higher scores that they do not merit, the system has been dumbed down. An average society despises and punishes merit.
“This is the type of arrant pedantry up with which I will not put!” - attributed to Winston Churchill
Fact is, a Japanese kid in an American school does better than a Japanese kid in a school in Japan. Same thing for any ethnic group you can name, except for a particular ethnic group that cannot be named.
Since that ethnic group has an average IQ of 85, it is impossible to raise their scores. In the name of "equality" however, it is possible to cripple the high-achievers and drag their scores down.
It's not fair that some people are more successful than others, you see.
This thread is esoteric and nebulous.
When I was 12, I was reading at college level, or so the tests told me. I don't remember much from sixth grade, but I do recall my class read "The Count of Monte Cristo". That was a challenge.
Back then, in the 60s, California public schools were very good.
All I have to say is thank God I went to school and college at a time when there were still some standards and actual measures of achievement and knowledge.
I would caution you against using that word around Warden Norton. It brought a very negative reaction from him in the context that it was said.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.