Regents Exam shocker

New York Post ^ | Dec. 20, 2001 | Kenneth Lovett, Clemente Lisi, and Carl Campanile

[Lizavetta]

More than one-quarter of the Board of Education's class of 2001 couldn't graduate because they flunked or failed to take the state math Regents exam, new state statistics show.

And 23 percent of the city's graduating class didn't pass or take the English exam, either. The 1997 freshman class was the first to have to pass both the English and math Regents exams to graduate under stricter state Regents standards. Passing math was required this year.

[Lizavetta]

This problem would be solved if only we'd give them more money.

It's all Reagan's fault.

[eureka!]

Yes, more money is definitely the answer. Sheesh. This has got to change....

[WyldKard]

Actually, more money WOULD be a big improvement. The problem is that these schools don't or can't spend it properly. Instead of taking measures to lure and retain more and better teachers, it's being squandered on useless PC programs, or going to line the superintendants pockets. Probably just another reason for home or private schooling, at this point...

[RANGERAIRBORNE]

Homeschooling is the way to go, if you care about your kids (and if you can manage the commitment of time it takes- although sharing duties with other families makes it manageable for most people).

I took the Regents, and passed- but they have been dumbed down so that a failure rate like this is just ridiculous.

[diefree]

A score of 55% to pass is a disgrace. I took chemistry in high school, never paid attention in class, never studied, never did any homework and I got at 55 on the Regents, which was a failing mark. If these tests are multiple choice, it shouldn't be hard to guess one's way to a 55 score.

[diefree]

Another thought, my sister worked for customs, her boss wanted her to take a test to move up a grade. She was happy in the job she had and didn't want to be promoted, but he insisted she take the test, so she did. It was multiple choice, so she just filled in the "B" column all the way down the page.

To her surprise she passed the test, but the mark wasn't high enough for the unwanted promotion.

[Eva]

No, the problem is not that more money is needed to lure or keep good teachers. The problem is that money is being squandered on lousy teachers that the teachers unions protect.

The day that schools are given the power to weed out slackers and reward excellence is the day that teaching pay may increase. Teaching is no longer a profession, it is just another union job.

The teacher's union has turned the public school system into an adversary of the public. Teachers no longer serve the public as professionals, they are day laborers and their attitude reflects it.

The quality of public education is inversely proportionate to the growth of the NEA.

[Phantom Lord]

A score of 55% to pass is a disgrace.

Come to North Carolina where we have a very high and strict standard of what is passing... 35%!

[diefree]

There is a school near me where one repeat one person graduated with a Regent's diploma.

[diefree]

Where I live the teachers make lots of money. The school's in good shape. The percentage of the graduating class that goes onto a 4 year college is about 46%.

My daughter's English teacher in 6th grade didn't know the proper usage of the words principle and principal. (My 11 year old daughter did)

[Oschisms]

I'd like to criticize this, but it took me two trys to pass the Sequential Math III Regents...So perhaps I'll just keep my mouth shut.

[Eva]

Obviously, money isn't the answer.

But, when I graduated from high school, about 85% of the class went on to higher education and the school scored in the top ten in the nation on the IOWA tests. It pains me that my kids did not receive the same quality education that I did. Schools on the East coast, however, seem to be far superior to public schools on the west coast (generally speaking).

[Frumious Bandersnatch]

passed. In English, the passing rate was 12 percent to 15 percent higher in the 'burbs and farm country.

LOL.  The writer probably meant 12 to 15 points higher as 12 to 15 percent higher would mean 12 to 15 percent of < 73% (I didn't see the rate of success for city kids), not 100%.

So this writer probably flunks math and english.

[litehaus]

As that current ad on TV shows--- You don't need algebra or calculus for THIS JOB! (showing two guys serving burgers)---The cream WILL rise to the top!

[Neets]

What you said bears repeating with emphasis....

No, the problem is not that more money is needed to lure or keep good teachers. The problem is that money is being squandered on lousy teachers that the teachers unions protect.

The day that schools are given the power to weed out slackers and reward excellence is the day that teaching pay may increase. Teaching is no longer a profession, it is just another union job.

The teacher's union has turned the public school system into an adversary of the public. Teachers no longer serve the public as professionals, they are day laborers and their attitude reflects it.

The quality of public education is inversely proportionate to the growth of the NEA.

[diefree]

The high school my daughter attended, until I put her in private school, offered honors classes and advanced placement. My daughter was in both. But these classes only attract a minority of the students. The rest are taking dumb-downed classes.

However, she says that she is learning far more in the private school where she is taking the International Bacalaureate.

[diefree]

Did you ever notice that when you go to a conference with a teacher that the teacher talks to you as though you are a 12 year old?

[Ender@Game.now]

You don't need algebra and calculus at NASA either. When launching a space probe just push the button with the Red Planet on it. ):

[diefree]

When the cashier in the supermarket rings up your bill and it is $4.76 and the register display shows that the change you are entitled to is $.24, did you ever give them $5.01 to confuse them?

I love to do this because they don't know what to do.

[OldFriend]

You can bet the new regents are nothing like the old regents.