Elaine wants my sources of data.
> Test scores among American white males are virtually unchanged or have
risen slightly in the last 20-30 years. Test scores of women and
minorities have also remained virtually unchanged or risen somewhat. The
combined average has dropped because more women and minorities take the
standardized tests. .... and so on ...
This was established definitively by a research team at Sandia National
Labs last year, but it has been suggested previously. I can put you in
touch with the author if you will let me know you want that.
>" ...... Graduating high school seniors will be largely non-white or
women >or both. These are the ones with the lower scores. "
Below is a qupte from "Everybody Counts" produced by the National Research
Council, a division of the National Academy of Sciences. "By the year
2000, 1 in 3 American students will be minority; by 2020 today's
minorities will become the majority of students in the US. Of those under
18, minorities already represent 40%, 3 times the proportion after World
War II. Already the 10 largest school districts in the US are 70% black
and Hispanic. For as far as we can reliably project the percentage of
minority children will continue to grow."
Is this a problem? You better believe it. Other research has clearly
shown that for these children there are better educational models than the
one that currently dominates, ie lecture. We are in a position where if
we do not change our approach, we will not produce enough professionals --
doctors, lawyers, engineers, mathematicians, scientists, and so forth --
to meet our growing needs.
"> The standardized tests may not be measuring relevant parameters.
However, there are no recognized tests (widely accepted) that do measure
a) knowledge, b) thinking, c) synthesizing, d) communicating. "
She asks, "What about SCANS or competency based assessment , will they be
a basis for different testing?"
I am unfamiliar with SCANS, but competency-based testing is essential.
However, we have to get away from the view that competency is proven by a
display of remembered knowledge. We have to learn about thinking,
estimating, communicating, and so forth. Skills that do not get
significant attention yet.
As far as testing, ETS and a number of states are developing new tests,
but it takes time, and there is a significant amount of political
resistance.
It is interesting that the SAT, widely required as a measure of
preparedness for college, has been shown by a number of premier colleges
to be irrelevant as a predictor of college success. Some coleges have, as
a result, dropped SAT scores as a prerequisite for admissions.
-- Rol Fessenden LL Bean 76234.3636@compuserve.com