grrrrrr

[thisficklemob]

No Child's Behind Left by Greg Palast exposes some of the egregious class discrimination in the NCLB test to pass third grade. Included are questions about tennis, which, Williams sisters not withstanding, is usually not a sport working class people play.

"Most young tennis stars learn the game from coaches at private clubs. In this sentence, a

Comments

[photosinensis]

Well, the test question is just stating the obvious: standardized tests are not able to gauge anything. However, many parents (and voters) are just too stupid to realize that test scores mean nothing. They just want to quantify education, which simply cannot be done.

[thisficklemob]

Well, the tennis questions are much more obvious to kids who see tennis around them. So having heard of doubles, and seen people play tennis, gives the kids who have a huge leg up on the other tennis question. It's not that other kids couldn't guess correctly, but a smaller ratio will.

But moreover, they use these test scores to a) hold kids back who don't pass them, and b) take label some schools "failing." Which in theory allows kids to transfer elsewhere, but in practice only 1/200 nationwide get the chance.

[dualbunny]

Why, why do you have a giant grey erect penis on your head? *cries*

To provide undeniable proof that he's a dickhead, whoever he is? ;D Yeah, I know, completely unorginal, but I never get to say dickhead. :P

[thisficklemob]

Hee! You're adorable. I didn't think of that... I was too busy being appalled. *g*