February 22, 200818 yr This is a great idea in my opinion. It is simple and here is why: ACT - Counts for college entrance and scholarship opportunities CATS - Counts for NOTHING First, I am NOT pro-CATS...but the content that I am asked to teach to prepare for the exam is the exact content that any good teacher would teach anyway. I teach science....Kentucky core content is based on the National Science standards.
February 22, 200818 yr In my opinion what needs to change may not be the test but the attitude that all students are equal, learn at the same rates,(pur silly) once we realize that, we can then make an assessment accordingly. I believe that we need to go into the route of specialization earlier, maybe after the age of 12... just a thought. I agree totally, unfortunately, NCLB and other factors have made a push to "narrow the gap" which means making sure kids get the same thing....easiest way to "narrow the gap" is to focus on the bottom and neglect the top. Bottom comes up, top goes down. There you have it.
February 22, 200818 yr I agree totally, unfortunately, NCLB and other factors have made a push to "narrow the gap" which means making sure kids get the same thing....easiest way to "narrow the gap" is to focus on the bottom and neglect the top. Bottom comes up, top goes down. There you have it. I think this is the way it's been for a long time. Too long. It's not a very 'balanced' approach to the problem.
February 22, 200818 yr I would like to think that this would pass. LBB I like the idea of tying it to accountablity. That is the one thing that is liking these days. You should know that.
February 23, 200818 yr and just for the record - Kentucky will ALWAYS lag behind the rest of the U.S. in comparison on the ACT - not because our kids aren't as smart, but because we are testing EVERYBODY and the rest of the country is only testing those who CHOOSE to be tested and claim to be college bound. We will not be comparing like groups in this evaluation. that is so dead on.
February 23, 200818 yr What politician is making money off of the testing system. It is a Massachusett's company that creates the test. Teachers are used in grading part of it, and computers in the other. The switch to everyone taking the ACT is the one that is creating money for people like Hunter Bates, who lobbies for the ACT (College Board I think it is). LBBC this is a Republican proposal and will probably be shot down by the governor. As for preparing for the test, if it is a valid test, and you are teaching to the test, that is a good thing. Core Content is what is on the test and what teachers should be teaching. It keeps teachers from just focusing on "What they like to teach". and just for the record - Kentucky will ALWAYS lag behind the rest of the U.S. in comparison on the ACT - not because our kids aren't as smart, but because we are testing EVERYBODY and the rest of the country is only testing those who CHOOSE to be tested and claim to be college bound. We will not be comparing like groups in this evaluation. On the last part...I don't think that's 100% accurate. There are schools that test ALL their students with the ACT here in Kentucky. Their averages are generally higher than the state average, as well as the national average. At Trinity, they begin the process in the Sophomore year, I believe. All seniors are required to have completed the ACT at least once before graduating.
February 23, 200818 yr Tie kids success in school to parents' welfare benefits. Tie kids success in school to parents' tax benefits. Keep up with the kids success tied to their driving license. That is a motivator for them when they turn 16 and cannot get their license. Tie post secondary scholarships to their success. And make the test an exit test for the HS level. Great ideas!
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