Posted on 03/07/2014 6:55:44 AM PST by SeekAndFind
Global observers have been sounding the klaxons for some time now when it comes to the American education system. We’re falling behind all of the smart countries, slowly sinking into a comfortable swamp populated by obese couch potatoes who gaze into their smart phone screens with glazed over eyes. The kids simply aren’t doing well enough on the SATs and the future looks dismal indeed.
But this is ‘MERICA, people! We’re not going to take this lying down! If our kids aren’t doing well enough on the standardized tests, there’s a clear solution. We’ll make the tests easier.
The organization that administers the SAT college entrance exam is adopting some big changes including a new scoring system, an optional essay and getting rid of hard vocabulary.
The College Board, which runs the widely used academic skills test, is changing the scoring system from a 2,400 point max back to the 1,600 points that it once used.
The SAT will continue to test reading, writing and math skills, but the essay portion will be optional. And difficult vocabulary will be replaced with words that students are more likely to use in college or in the workplace.
Somewhere out there, William F. Buckley is rolling over in his grave. But with that, pull up a chair, pour yourself a strong one, sit back and prepare for another installment in our ongoing series, “Jazz Shaw: My Lawn and You Getting Off of It.”
Most of these changes simply make no sense. I’m not sure why they’re going back to a 1600 point system – which shouldn’t matter a bit – but then again, I don’t know why we changed it in the first place. But the essay is optional? I assume that’s just to help people score better if they’re … bad at writing? And by all means, let’s get rid of all the “hard words” because, really… who needs a powerful vocabulary in an age when Bazinga is in the Merriam Webster Dictionary?
But all of this might still leave the test a bit too difficult for today’s teens. Got anything else for us?
Another change will include granting students credit for guessing. Currently, points are deducted for incorrect answers.
Ooooookay. I think we can pretty much turn the lights out with that one. I took the SATs back in the 70′s when the maximum score was still 1600. To put it mildly, I was not exactly a rocket scientist. I managed to break 1340 which wasn’t terrible, but my cousin Rick has already scored 1580 the year before, so any chance at wide approbation among the family was pretty much out the window. But the point is that the test was hard. Everyone in school was sweating it out, and the ones who cared at all worked their butts off preparing for it.
Now we’re going to award points for guessing. Welcome to the new America.
My own observation is that handhelds drop IQ by at least 10 points.
Three words sure to be removed - respect, corpsman, Syracuse.
What some people call “under promise and over deliver,” we call “improved performance through lowered expectations.”
So they're gonna use "f*ck" as a substitute?
Back in the old days the SAT score corresponded with intelligence.
May B they should just write the test like they talk.U kno it would B EZ to pass that way. B 4 it was 2 hard.
The hard vocabulary, particularly in the form of analogies, was taken out a couple of decades ago.
The current SAT is a cinch for anyone who thinks logically and speaks English.
Probably, but it will now include words like “racist”, “homophobic”, and “trans-gendered”, too.
Making English easier for the urban youths:
Toys R us
Urban translate:
We be toys
SCENE FROM THE MOVIE: AIRPLANE
________________________________
Randy: Can I get you something?
Second Jive Dude: ‘S’mofo butter layin’ me to da’ BONE! Jackin’ me up... tight me!
Randy: I’m sorry, I don’t understand.
First Jive Dude: Cutty say ‘e can’t HANG!
Jive Lady (Elderly lady): Oh, stewardess! I speak jive.
Randy: Oh, good.
Jive Lady: He said that he’s in great pain and he wants to know if you can help him.
Randy: All right. Would you tell him to just relax and I’ll be back as soon as I can with some medicine?
Jive Lady: [to the Second Jive Dude] Jus’ hang loose, blood. She gonna catch ya up on da rebound on da med side.
Second Jive Dude: What it is, big mama? My mama no raise no dummies. I dug her rap!
Jive Lady: Cut me some slack, Jack! Chump don’ want no help, chump don’t GET da help!
First Jive Dude: Say ‘e can’t hang, say seven up!
Jive Lady: Jive-ass dude don’t got no brains anyhow! Shiiiiit.
Ha! June Cleaver translate at TheBeaver.com
-----------------------------------------> *snicker* I no.
I agree wid u! Heh...........
The Ten Commandments (In Ebonics)
1. I be God. Don’ be dissing me.
2. Don’ be makin hood ornaments outa me or nothin in my crib.
3. Don’ be callin me for no reason - homey don’ play that.
4. Y’all betta be in church on Sundee.
5. Don’ dis ya mama ... an if ya know who ya daddy is, don’ dis him neither.
6. Don’ ice ya bros.
7. Stick to ya own woman.
8. Don’ be liftin no goods.
9. Don’ be frontin like you all that an no snitchin on ya homies.
10. Don’ be eyein’ ya homie’s crib, ride, or nothin.
LOL! Love it, passed it along
“Another change will include granting students credit for guessing. Currently, points are deducted for incorrect answers.”
THIS IS THE BIG CHANGE.
On the old exam, if there were 5 possible answers, you got one point for the correct one and a minus 1/4 for a wrong one. Pure guessing would get you a net of zero on average.
More importantly, if you got fooled, and you think you nailed it, you definitely lost 1/4 point.
Bottomline: On the old test, getting fooled was worse than random guessing.
On the new test, getting fooled is not all that bad.
For example, get all 100 question right vs. getting them all wrong. The old system means the losers get beat 100 to minus 25. The new system means the losers get beat 100 to 0.
In fact, they could change the SAT to an all-Ebonics test, and some non-Obama-son, likely an Asian kid, is still going to get the best score.
It's no surprise that selective colleges now require at least half a dozen AP classes with 4 or 5 on the test even to be considered for admission.
How long before AP courses are considered part of "white privilege?" and "equalized?"
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.