A Feel-Good Report Card Won’t Help Children The National Assessment of Educational Progress considers a proposal to relativize reading tests.

City Journal ^ | October 13, 2020 | David Steiner and Mark Bauerlein

[karpov]

While cultural debates have roiled primary and secondary education, the National Assessment of Educational Progress has been largely free of ideological conflict. Known as the “nation’s report card,” NAEP tests students in math and reading and, less often, in civics, U.S. history, and science. These tests are not high-stakes student assessments because the NAEP does not calculate individual scores; rather, it measures school-system performance by state and large districts, and, as such, it is the nation’s best indicator of trends in student learning.

The NAEP’s current framework defines reading comprehension as “a dynamic cognitive process,” involving “Understanding written text”; “Developing and interpreting meaning”; and “Using meaning as appropriate to type of text, purpose, and situation.” The language is commonsensical and defines reading as a generic function common to any literate person. Reading goals may vary depending on context, but reading remains fundamentally the same activity from person to person, and the object of reading—discerning meaning—can be apprehended by anyone.

Now that might be changing. A proposal from the NAEP Governing Board to change the framework of the reading section threatens the status of the test as a reliable gauge of district performance. The new definition relativizes reading across cultures. Reading remains a “dynamic cognitive process,” but it’s now “expanded to a sociocultural model that positions the reader, the texts, and the activities in a sociocultural context.” Not only do we have readers exercising their skills on diverse texts and for different purposes, but readers themselves are also diversified, each one “positioned” by sociocultural background.

...

We wonder, then, if the proposed change is for the benefit of America’s children or for educators dismayed by our persistent achievement gaps.

[karpov]

The lower scores of blacks and Hispanics than whites on the SAT is often wrongly explained by whites using expensive test prep. But the NAEP, which is a low-stakes test that no one prepares for, shows similar racial gaps as the SAT. I think the NAEP "reformers" are trying to shoot the messenger.

[Mouton]

Diversity is our strength. Say that twice before going to bed each night. See if you feel better in the AM.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

... “expanded to a sociocultural model that positions the reader, the texts, and the activities in a sociocultural context.”

That's pure, unadulterated shit.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

... “expanded to a sociocultural model that positions the reader, the texts, and the activities in a sociocultural context.”

That's pure, unadulterated shit.

[libertylover]

That's pure, unadulterated shit.

That's what I was thinkin' my own self.

[lgjhn23]

“...That’s pure, unadulterated shit....”

Exactly. Best description so far.

[Aevery_Freeman]

DIVERSITY IS UNITY

Orwell missed this one.

[Aevery_Freeman]

<>"“expanded to a sociocultural model that positions the reader, the texts, and the activities in a sociocultural context.”"<>

Ever wonder what happens to college students that earned worthless degrees...

Pure word-salad vomitus.

[central_va]

You say that you want diversity? I'll show you diversity.