Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

‘Literacy’ test for teachers may be nixed (NY State)
New York Post ^ | Mar 6 2017 | Danika Fears, Kirstan Conley and Selim Algar

Posted on 03/07/2017 9:32:37 AM PST by Salman

State education officials plan to scrap a literacy exam given to prospective teachers and allow certification for some applicants who fail a performance assessment test — moves that critics warned will weaken the pool of candidates.

The state Board of Regents will likely vote early next week on whether to ax the Academic Literacy Skills Test, one of four exams that teacher wannabes have to pass for certification, officials said Monday.

...

But charter advocate StudentsFirstNY executive director Jenny Sedlis blasted the move.

“It’s a terrible idea to get rid of the test that tells us whether teaching candidates meet minimum literacy levels,” she told The Post. “Students in low-income neighborhoods need teachers who soar over the standards, not ones who failed to pass a basic competency test.”

...

(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: education
Keep 'em voting Democrat.
1 posted on 03/07/2017 9:32:37 AM PST by Salman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

There is absolutely nothing in this world more racist than literacy


2 posted on 03/07/2017 9:34:19 AM PST by dsrtsage (One half of all people have below average IQ. In the US the number is 54%fe)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Salman

There’s a literacy test for teachers in NY???


3 posted on 03/07/2017 9:34:38 AM PST by Texas Eagle (If it wasn't for double-standards, Liberals would have no standards at all -- Texas Eagle)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dsrtsage
There is absolutely nothing in this world more racist than literacy

No kidding. So "acting white."

4 posted on 03/07/2017 9:35:03 AM PST by fwdude (Democrats have not been this angry since Republicans freed the slaves.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Salman

Ahh...just what we need..more LOW IQ teachers “teaching” LOW IQ students! As long as they pay union dues it’s OK. /sarc


5 posted on 03/07/2017 9:35:36 AM PST by House Atreides (Send BOTH Hillary & Bill to prison.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dsrtsage

If the students can’t read, why is it so important for the teachers? /s


6 posted on 03/07/2017 9:37:53 AM PST by D Rider
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: House Atreides

Perfect for regurgitating the propaganda that passes for “ education” in the government schools anyway.


7 posted on 03/07/2017 10:07:02 AM PST by Kozak (DIVERSITY+PROXIMITY=CONFLICT)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: dsrtsage

Oh yes there is...numeracy. Oprah has a book club, Oprah doesn’t have a math club.


8 posted on 03/07/2017 10:09:12 AM PST by ameribbean expat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: dsrtsage
Right.

It's no coincidence that human history is marked by human advancement -- often in great strides -- in cultures that have had written languages ... and stagnation or regression in cultures that do not.

9 posted on 03/07/2017 10:29:59 AM PST by Alberta's Child (President Donald J. Trump ... Making America Great Again, 140 Characters at a Time)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: House Atreides
Ahh...just what we need..more LOW IQ teachers “teaching” LOW IQ students! As long as they pay union dues it’s OK. /sarc

Don't besmirch the students as low IQ because the state wants to hire teachers who can't read. They are innocent victims of these awful democrat and union driven policies.

10 posted on 03/07/2017 10:30:36 AM PST by pepsi_junkie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Salman
But charter advocate StudentsFirstNY executive director Jenny Sedlis blasted the move. “It’s a terrible idea to get rid of the test that tells us whether teaching candidates meet minimum literacy levels,” she told The Post. “Students in low-income neighborhoods need teachers who soar over the standards, not ones who failed to pass a basic competency test.”

Hey, Jenny ... Haven't you figured it out yet? Public education isn't intended to educate students. It's intended to employ teachers and administrators. Who cares if the teachers can't read?

11 posted on 03/07/2017 10:31:44 AM PST by Alberta's Child (President Donald J. Trump ... Making America Great Again, 140 Characters at a Time)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Salman

This is an exercise fraught with peril as many teachers will find reading of “Jack and Jill” very challenging.


12 posted on 03/07/2017 11:08:59 AM PST by PIF (They came for me and mine ... now it is your turn ...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Salman

I just looked at one of the sample questions. It asks would be teachers to summarize and compare two brief semi-technical statements, against and for Big Ag, GMO and Factory Farming. The material is poor, like opinion pieces in a local newspaper. I find it difficult to believe that a well-reasoned and well-crafted response that criticizes the weak arguments against Big Ag would be scored higher than a less well written piece that is politically but not empirically correct. The sample question suggests a lack of critical thinking on the part of the college professors who put this test together. You can see for yourself here: http://www.isnetworked.org/uploads/Resources/1414506430_ALST%20Reading%20Passage%20Resource.pdf


13 posted on 03/07/2017 11:45:46 AM PST by bjc (Show me the data!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Texas Eagle

LOL.

I’d like to see a literacy test for journalists. And politicians.

I find it astounding that ANYONE could object to a test for basic competence in teachers. Would you hire a typist who couldn’t type or a welder who couldn’t weld? Why would you hire a teacher who can’t teach? (If you can’t read, you can’t teach. You might be able to teach a kid to play a musical instrument or draw or play soccer or something, but there is no way you could handle the administrative duties of teaching like keeping track of attendance, grades, etc.)


14 posted on 03/07/2017 11:46:17 AM PST by generally ( Don't be stupid. We have politicians for that.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Alberta's Child

Anyone who believes Teachers’ Unions exist to educate children must likewise believe the purpose of the UAW is to build fine automobiles.

A semi-literate teacher is a very well-paid babysitter. No wonder so many black kids drop out of High School. No republic can survive a dumbed-downed populace.


15 posted on 03/07/2017 12:56:47 PM PST by Jacquerie (ArticleVBlog.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: generally

It is social justice, which trumps all else.


16 posted on 03/07/2017 12:59:35 PM PST by Jacquerie (ArticleVBlog.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Salman
Sources said education officials also were concerned about the disparity between passing rates among white and minority candidates.

In 2013-14, only 48 percent of aspiring black teachers and 56 percent of prospective Hispanic educators passed, compared to 75 percent of white candidates, the website Chalkbeat reported in February.

Liberals think racial diversity is more important than being able to read.

17 posted on 03/07/2017 3:47:18 PM PST by grundle
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Salman

I would bet any amount of money that “Minimum literacy” is less than a sixth grade reading level.


18 posted on 03/07/2017 8:00:29 PM PST by zeugma (The Brownshirts have taken over American Universities.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson