In article <93mrk6$5am$[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, Gene Gallagher
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> The local schools are already being forced to teach to the test. I
> reviewed my older daughter's science text and thought it was apalling.
> There would be a 10-page section mediocre discussion of pressure in the
> ocean and atmosphere, followed by an inane 10-p discussion of pressure
> in the blood system. There was little to unite the two concepts in that
> both dealt with a term called pressure that was very poorly described. I
> told her teacher that I didn't envy him having to teach with a book that
> was structured so poorly. He said the book was the best of a bad lot
> and that they chose it over one that they preferred because the content
> was closer to that being tested with the MCAS. He said that their
> previous model was that earth sciences were dealt with in a unified
> package in one year, followed by the life sciences in the years before
> and after. However, the MCAS tests both earth and life sciences in one
> exam, so they couldn't go a year without covering both with the same
> text. I fear that decisions like this are being made state-wide.
Reportedly, many schools in Massachusetts are already de-emphasizing
history and science in favor of English and math, because the latter two
MCAS tests are required for graduation and the former two are not.
Readin' and writin' and 'rithmetic, don't you know... I wonder when the
hickory stick will be reintroduced...
Reportedly, many more are starting to de-emphasize physical education.
Personally I've always been a nerd and not a jock, but this is
nevertheless tragic and scandalous if true.
I wish I had clipped the early discussion in which advocates of the MCAS
assured everyone that "teaching to the test" would not happen.
--
Daniel P. B. Smith
Email address: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
"Lifetime forwarding" address: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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