"Science" textbook for Christian schools can't even explain electricity

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by tapu

Excellent points being made. I want to give some more thought to all this, but meanwhile here is a very specific and current perspective on what's happening wrt science standards and requirements in Massachusetts--really the hotbed of high-stakes testing in education today.

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ed...cause_of_mcas/

This opinion piece points out the minority, low-income, and urban factors in not passing the MCAS (standards test), argues for dropping the MCAS science requirement for graduation, and brings out the fact that private and religious schools get a pass on this.

This veers a bit off the topic in its totality, but also sheds light on some points of discussion here. As a side note: I managed production of the MCAS 2010 and 2011. The politics are searing.

Really interesting tapu. Where do you stand on the issue (yes, I am aware that you managed production of the 2010 and 2011, but I am not going to assume you believe kids should have to pass it in order to receive a diploma)?

Here adults who dropped out of high school can later take a test to receive their GED in place of a diploma, but they also now have something where they can now get a hisgh school diploma as an adult (however I do not know the requirements for that). What are the option in Massachusetts for returning students?

[tapu]

Something I was reading on FOX:

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011...-unlikely-one/


This article is about eliminating the federal dept of ed. Now, that would effectively kill the idea of national ed standards. (i think)

Obama makes a statement toward the end about how RI students may not need the same education as TX students, or wherever. This is an old assumption, based on a much less mobile workforce, that should be challenged. Natl politics is trying to keep the states happy with that one. It should so totally be taken out of their hands, as I understand AJ to be advocating, too.

By the way, in practical application, NCLB threw the educational publishing industry--and education in general-- into a frenzy. Teaching took a much reduced role in the market for variety of teaching materials. And the money, time (incl classroom time), and the teacher/admin focus has all gone into testing.

Don't even get me started on how Alt Testing is done. I managed production of Florida's Alt testing and it finally dawned on me what was going on. This is not the thread for it, I guess. Shit, I'm always doing that. Sorry! Anyway, Alt testing is about inclusiveness in testing, not about inclusiveness in student learning.

[SecretAgentMa'am]

Originally Posted by tapu

Something I was reading on FOX:

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011...-unlikely-one/


This article is about eliminating the federal dept of ed. Now, that would effectively kill the idea of national ed standards. (i think)

Obama makes a statement toward the end about how RI students may not need the same education as TX students, or wherever. This is an old assumption, based on a much less mobile workforce, that should be challenged. Natl politics is trying to keep the states happy with that one. It should so totally be taken out of their hands, as I understand AJ to be advocating, too.

By the way, in practical application, NCLB threw the educational publishing industry--and education in general-- into a frenzy. Teaching took a much reduced role in the market for variety of teaching materials. And the money, time (incl classroom time), and the teacher/admin focus has all gone into testing.

Don't even get me started on how Alt Testing is done. I managed production of Florida's Alt testing and it finally dawned on me what was going on. This is not the thread for it, I guess. Shit, I'm always doing that. Sorry! Anyway, Alt testing is about inclusiveness in testing, not about inclusiveness in student learning.

I don't think that's what Obama is saying at all. He's saying that children in RI may need to be taught in a different way from student in TN, not that they need a different education. The problem with NCLB is that it's a one-size-fits-all method of education, and all children don't learn the same way. All children need to learn the same things, but that doesn't mean they all need to be taught those things in exactly the same way.