Dumbing Down New York

New York Post ^ | Oct 10, 2003 | editorial

[SauronOfMordor]

If kids in New York high schools are cheering Wednesday's decision to lower the passing grade for state Regents tests, it's no mystery why.

They're kids!

State Education Commissioner Richard Mills, who recommended the change, and the state Board of Regents, which OK'd it, have no such excuse.

[SauronOfMordor]

Originally, New York had two classes of HS diplomas: the regular one (which indicated you showed up for 12 years), and the Regents diploma (which you only got by passing tests that demonstrated that you had learned something)

The Liberal establishment could not tolerate that. So they abolished the two levels and decreed that EVERYONE must get a Regents diploma. So now, obviously, the solution is to dumb down the test so that you just have to write your name to pass

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[just deserts]

"Originally, New York had two classes of HS diplomas: the regular one (which indicated you showed up for 12 years), and the Regents diploma (which you only got by passing tests that demonstrated that you had learned something)"

They made the switch to all Regents classes for freshman entering high school in the 2000-2001 school year. The seniors that are to graduate in 2004 will be the first class that is to graduate with only the Regents diploma since the switch was made.

Off topic, I believe I met you and your daughter at a freep of the UN gun grabbers a couple of years ago. Lovely, well informed young lady. I'm not sure, although I think it was you, maybe I've mistaken you for someone else.

[patj]

ping

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Thanks for the ping.

Where are the adults?

[patj]

Where are the adults?

Good question! My parents would not have stood for it, nor would I, if it were my children.

[demkicker]

Where are the adults?

Too busy with their heads in the sand. Afterall, Johnny and Susie are bringing home A's and that's all that's important.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Yes, the grades. Grades do not reflect knowledge learned and bumper stickers won't educate your child.

[demkicker]

Grades do not reflect knowledge learned and bumper stickers won't educate your child.

Ahhh yes, but its nice and comfy to be in denial, pretending that your child is smart. Besides, it might make a parent uncomfortable to point out that the Emperor has no clothes and we all know that criticizing and finger pointing is rude.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Yes, just hope for the best and then be ready to claim victimhood.

[mewzilla]

I graduated with a Regents diploma. They're a joke now.

[Archangelsk]

Grades do not reflect knowledge learned and bumper stickers won't educate your child.

Ah, someone here understands the hierarchy of learning (rote to correlation). So tell me, how would you do it? If it were up to me I'd start by abolishing standardized, multiple choice testing and reinstituting essay exams. (I'd also give educators the ultimate tax break, they'd pay 0% on their earnings as long as they are fully employed as teachers - we could make up the loss in revenue by taxing professional athletes on 98% of their worthless, valueless earnings. However, that's a flame war for a different day). :-)

[mewzilla]

The adults, BTW? According to many of the parents we know, teaching is the teachers' job. I kid you not. And the well-educated, upper middle class parents we know seem to be the worst offenders. I know parents who don't even check out their kids' textbooks to see what their kids are being taught. And parent-teacher conferences? Only if they can be conveniently scheduled to accomodate the parents' busy life-styles.

[Archangelsk]

Only if they can be conveniently scheduled to accomodate the parents' busy life-styles.

Which is the usual excuse these "parents" usually give. (Climbing on soapbox). Can I have your attention please: THERE IS NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOUR CHILDREN! NO MEETING, NO BOSS, NO CONFERENCE, NO PROJECT, NO H2, NO 500K MCMANSION, NO VACATION IN TUSCANY, NO BOX SEAT TO THE BALLGAME IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOUR CHILDREN! (Climbing off of soapbox).

[mewzilla]

Amen.

[neutrino]

So now, obviously, the solution is to dumb down the test so that you just have to write your name to pass

(Chuckle) I suspect that a subset of students exists which can't even do that - even if they had their ID in front of them.

And we wonder why our jobs are going to India and China....

[Cincinatus' Wife]

The teachers have to be proficient in their subject, teach their subject, remain current and be removed for inferior work.

The schools have to enforce discipline, go heavy on the basics, stop all the "special" this and that for money and remove disruptive students.

Students need to be held to high standards, no changing the rules to fit the student.

And parents need to wake up and decide if they want to parent or if they want to have strangers boarding in their homes.

Our country's future depends on the education of our people.

[mewzilla]

Not just dumbed down, either. They're talking about making 55 a passing grade. So if you score a 55 on a dumbed-down test, you pass. Are you listening, employers?

[Archangelsk]

Not just dumbed down, either. They're talking about making 55 a passing grade.

Considering the national average for the SATs is 63% (1014 out of 1600), and everyone was overjoyed with these results, the students and teachers aren't the only ones who are dumbed down.

[mewzilla]

Holy moly. I hadn't seen that stat. Forget AQ. We have met the enemy, and he is us.