When an A is a D - States make diplomas count by sticking with senior tests

USA Today ^ | June 22, 2003 | staff

[AUH2OY2K]

"Minorities do fail the exams at higher rates, a gap that shows up on all standardized tests." This statement is a complete lie. Asians, a minority in the United States, consistently outperform all other groups. Even recent arrivals score better than native born blacks. Opps. I'm sorry to mention the facts. I guess I'm a racist.

[Tin-Legions]

Equal outcomes regardless of effort: socialism in action. Destruction of a nation in consequence.

[mrustow]

BUMP for later comment.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

A cry in the black education wilderness

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Equal outcomes regardless of effort: socialism in action. Destruction of a nation in consequence.

Bump!

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Bump!

[Phyto Chems]

bttt

[xrp]

I wonder what the results would be if they took the black students' results and separated that by native black American childrens' results and the results of children of recent black immigrants from Africa. I bet the children of the recent immigrants are scoring much higher.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

***Critics say the tests are unfair to minorities. And they cite education experts who say a student's fate should not rest on a single exam. Both points are valid. As are parents' complaints when suddenly told that their children won't graduate. Even so, those problems reflect how some states implement the exams -- not their worth. ***

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It's a real shocker when you've been sporting a "My Kid is on the Honor Roll" bumper sticker!

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***Minorities do fail the exams at higher rates, a gap that shows up on all standardized tests. Ideally, that fact should pressure states and schools to do more to help minority students, well in advance of graduation. ***

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Yes, by having teachers qualifed to teach the subject matter, teaching English-only and dumping the "education's a white man's game" attitude.

[AD from SpringBay]

Critics say the tests are unfair to minorities.

I never have understood this. Where is the logic (any logic) to support this statement? It's not like minorities (what a broad brush) receive tests written in Greek while non-minorities (ie white) receive Dr. Seuss coloring books.

[Guillermo]

No, it's because the racist tests pepper their questions with racist terms like "snow" and use White names like "Jack" and "Sue".

[zx2dragon]

In my hometown my graduating class was the first class that HAD to pass a test like this. They issued it the freshman year and, if you failed, you were placed in classes to help you catch up. You then took the test every year until your Senior year with special classes assigned as needed.

I knew one of the teachers who taught these classes and there were people in there who could not divide four by two.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

there were people in there who could not divide four by two.

I went to have some blinds cut the other day. I had to show the cutter how to read the markings on the table measure. This is criminal. We must demand students understand the material or they DON'T advance a grade!! Also dump tenure and get ignorant teachers away from students.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

I agree with you on the curriculum. But where would the social stigma be when thousands of 3rd, 4th, etc. graders shouldn't advance? If staying put until you know the material was adhered too, the kids and their parents would get the message. How can dropping out (the pc phrase is early leavers) be worse than sitting in class for 12 years and not being able to read, write or add?

[Mariposaman]

Even allowing students the ability to retake the exit exams as many as five to six times won't satisfy everyone. Look a Florida. School officials wanted to graduate those who failed multiple times, so that later while in college, they could again attempt to pass. Sounds more like school officials are more interested in C.Y.A than A.B.Cs.

[fporretto]

"Unfair to minorities," eh? Which minorities? By the same amounts, or by varying amounts?

Thomas Sowell would have a fine old time with this. The refusal to disaggregate below the suggestive but unspecific "minorities" implies that there are critical differences hidden in the aggregate -- differences too embarrassing for these "critics" -- also unspecified, both in identities and affiliations -- to allow the public to learn about them.

"Figures cannot lie, but liars can figure." -- Mark Twain.

Freedom, Wealth, and Peace,
Francis W. Porretto
Visit The Palace Of Reason:
http://palaceofreason.com

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Sounds more like school officials are more interested in C.Y.A than A.B.Cs.

Bump!

[Cincinatus' Wife]

And people who offer nothing but misery use the race and class-envy card.

"Figures cannot lie, but liars can figure." -- Mark Twain.

My mother often used this quote.