posted by Carleigh on Thursday, September 17, 2009
Standardized testing procedures continue to underwhelm.
I dislike standardized testing. I've blogged about this before. Sure, it's a logical solution to test a large population of students and therefore judge them along the same standards, but that hardly means it is fair or accurate. But this is off topic.
Today's blog is about a shift in the standards of standardized testing. A shift for the worse.
In New York, state exams are becoming easier and easier to pass. No, the questions aren't being dumbed down. The required scores are.
In 2006, students needed to answer 60% of questions correctly to pass the state exams. Today, they need just 44% to pass.
Yikes.
I'm sure some students are stoked to take a test that is easier to pass. Who doesn't love a class curve? But passing students who are actually failing is a disservice to those students. They still need to learn, standardized test or none.
What standardized tests have you recently taken? What do you consider to be the pros and cons of standardized tests?
related topics: current events
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posted by Carleigh on Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Today I present a tale of Facebook failure.
A few months ago, Ohio State released a study pointing to Facebook as the cause of poor student performance. Skeptics (like me) were quick to point out that the study was flawed, and did not prove that Facebook actually causes lower grades.
So Facebook can't be singled out as the cause of student failure... but could it be a determining factor? Recently two students were caught cheating... thanks to Facebook.
No, the students didn't cheat on or via Facebook, but they did use the social networking site to brag about it. The Facebook conversations were used as evidence, and the students got big fat zeros.
Cheaters. Never. Prosper.
related topics: current events, technology in the classroom
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posted by Carleigh on Monday, August 24, 2009
The former planet's identity crisis lives on.
As many of you will remember, three years ago today Pluto was stripped of it's planet title and deemed a dwarf planet by the International Astronomical Union.
I'm not sure why, but I remember a feeling of sadness when I heard the news. Poor Pluto was no longer a planet? What about my textbooks telling me otherwise? What about the diorama I spent hours creating in the 3rd grade?
Suddenly the clever mnemonic device I was taught to remember the order of the planets, "My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas," no longer applied. How could we fix it? My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Noodles? Nachos? Nothing?!?
Apparently I'm not the only person who feels that Pluto was robbed.
The Illinois Senate has declared that Pluto is in fact a Planet, at least while it passes over the state. And the New Mexico House of Representatives went so far as to create their very own "Pluto is a Planet" holiday.
Are you nostalgic about 'planet' Pluto?
related topics: current events
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posted by Carleigh on Wednesday, August 05, 2009
It's a tough time to find a job. Should colleges be held accountable?
I'm all for holding people and institutions to their word. But I think one student has taken her fight a bit too far.
Trina Thompson graduated from Monroe College in April, and has yet to find a job. She feels the school has "not tried hard enough to help" her find a job, and so, she is suing Monroe for $70,000 she paid in tuition.
The only way this lawsuit has any merit is if the school guarantees jobs to all graduates- which I highly doubt.
We'll see what happens. While we wait, here are Three Alternatives to Suing Your Alma Mater.
What do you think of this lawsuit? Do you expect your school's career center to help you find a job? And is that a courtesy or a right?
related topics: current events
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posted by Carleigh on Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Today's Student Resource Center is being replaced by news of a very important current event!
Since two of the past four blog posts have been about the moon, solar news couldn't come at a better time.
The July 22 sunrise will be the longest solar eclipse of the 21st century. Watch it live here.
Enjoy!
related topics: current events
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posted by Carleigh on Thursday, June 25, 2009
I just love good news.
Those of you who have applied to college are probably familiar with the FAFSA. It's a form that students fill out to determine their need-based financial aid.
It's a honker. A confusing, tedious form. So confusing, in fact, that one Student Resource Center dedicated 4 links to FAFSA resources.
And now for the good news. Someone had a bright idea.
The government plans to streamline the form by early 2010 by eliminating about 20% of the questions.
Phew!
It's startling to think that 20% of the questions can be eliminated. Wouldn't you love to shorten all your tests by 20%? Um, yesplease.
Have you wrestled with FAFSA? Who won?
related topics: current events, College know-how
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