Blog 5: Predicting College Success: Test Scores vs. Grades

High school is always a time of enjoyment. There’s Partying, Prom, and finally Graduation.

One thing that is not enjoyable? Standardized Testing.

Students are told that standardized testing is done as a means of helping a college to determine their success if accepted when compared to their peers. Students begin to focus more on the SATs and ACTs than their actual grades in the classroom. It feels as though the second half of high school is dedicated almost solely to scoring as high as possible.

 

No one wants to be this kid–But so many have felt like him…

*News Flash* : New research has shown that test scores are NOT  necessarily better at predicting college success.

It may seem like common sense, but  only about  800 of the 3,000 American Colleges and Universities actually have test optional standards.

My Stance: I think that it would be a great idea for colleges and universities to adopt test optional standards. I agree that there really is no major difference between those who take the test and those who do not. Personally, I would prefer a preference on my grades. The work ethic, time management,etc. required to make good grades are what colleges are looking for. Standardized testing only lets you know that I can memorize and regurgitate information.

 

YOU DECIDE: Should colleges and universities move towards making it optional for you to submit your test scores ( as part of applying for admission)?

 

For more information: (1) On the pros and cons of standardized testing, click on the cartoon (also the source) (2) On the study referenced in this entry, click here.

Blog 4: Girls and Boys – Separate but Equal ?

Past: Boys go to school and girls stay home learning to be a proper mother and wife.

Present: Both boys and girls go to school together (What I grew up with).

Future: Boys in one classroom and girls in another ?!

 

When it comes to the classroom, the way a student learns is likely impacted by who is in the room. There is now debate about whether public schools systematically should move towards having single-gendered classrooms.

 

 Against  Separation:

“ Separating because of distractions does not outweigh coming together to maximize learning. The classroom should prepare students for the real world and how to deal with the opposite sex appropriately within it. If you separate the genders, then you lose that.”

– Andre Boyd, Middle School Teacher (South Carolina)

 For Separation:

“Early research shows that girls reap the most benefits from being together for math and science. They feel more comfortable about their abilities without worrying about how they appear to boys, and they have more opportunity to participate in class discussions. Boys, who are typically more confident in math and science, dominate discussions, and teachers tend to call on boys more often.”

– Robert Kirschenbaum, School Psychologist (Washington State)

 

My Opinion: I for some reason have the tendency to side with the Middle school teacher. School should prepare students for interacting with others in the real world. Men and women are not separate in the workplace or in many other venues, so in a linear way of thinking, it seems to make perfect sense. I will acknowledge that the psychologist has a valid point in that boys do tend to dominate the classroom and because of this , girls are prone to feel less than capable of their abilities.

 

With that being said… Should girls and boys be separated? Would separation really be beneficial to both sexes? Or Maybe Just one?

 

To read each person’s full explanation please click here. Or if reading statistics and data will be more helpful in deciding where you stand, go here.

 

 

 

Blog 3: Bad Behavior or Mental Health Problem?

Before the age of quick diagnoses and over medication, children and mental health would rarely be found in the same sentence together. It was generally understood that no kid is perfect and with tons of energy, kids are prone to misbehave.

In the last few years, there has been talk about health issues like ADD and ADHD being the cause of bad behavior in children within the classroom. The biggest issue with the diagnosis is that it is largely subjective. The teacher makes a suggestion to the school’s counselor and administration based on perceived behavior in the classroom.

After meetings with involved parties, convinced parents were being advised to medicate their children or place them in a school for children with special needs. Drugs such as Ritalin, sometimes worked and sometimes did not. In some instances, the child’s reaction to the medication would lead to more behavior problems instead of less.

The dozens of questions surrounding this issue come down to two:

 How does one really know if one child is misbehaving and the other has a mental issue?

                          And whose job is it to  figure  it out? The teacher? Someone else?

 

It is somewhat difficult for me to wrap my mind around medicating a child based largely on perceived “bad” behavior.What if it is just immaturity? Or if the child has lots of energy? It just seems as though there should be some alternative option. If after evaluation, it is determined that a child has ADHD, I think that medication should still be the last resort.The medication does not necessarily correct or alter the behavior, rather in many cases it makes the child sluggish and in a trance-like state. How safe is being in a trance everyday?

If misdiagnosis occurs, then what are the permanent side effects for the child who has been taking various medication over extended periods of time? Click here for statistics from a study conducted about the misdiagnosis of ADHD in children.

 

Regardless, all decisions whether to medicate or to use an alternative option, should be in the best interest of the child as opposed to those who have to deal with him/her.

 

———Click here for a documentary that goes into further details regarding the issues surrounding this debate. The documentary gives insight  from the perspectives of parents, medical experts, and even school administrators.———-

 

The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.  – Albert Einstein

 

 

 

 

Blog 2 : Who Cares What They Wear?

Of all of the things trending like music and celebrities, fashion and clothing will always take the cake. What one wears seems to matter most at school. With a seemingly limitless option of styles, how does one decide what’s the best? It won’t be long before the choice is no longer the student’s. This blog is about the debate over mandatory school uniforms. Proponents:

• Those that are for uniforms in school  feel as though it cuts out the social pressures to fit in. Additionally, with everyone wearing the same thing, it helps level the playing field for children from different socio-economic backgrounds. One of the biggest reasons that many are for school uniforms is because they are safer for the student population.

Opponents:

• Many argue that uniforms stifle the ability for students to be themselves. When children are in school, they are not as comfortable with themselves to learn because of the uniforms. Opponents of mandatory uniforms feel as though there is no real evidence especially in Georgia that proves that uniforms make kids safer. In fact, some feel as though kids are actually worse off wearing uniforms. Uniforms are a “set-up” for kids because in the real world, your appearance does matter. Arguably, it matters just as much as what the student has to offer.

Where I stand:  I think that students have different needs and function differently at the various levels of school. In elementary school for instance, students tend to be more easily distracted and therefore could benefit greatly from wearing uniforms. In high school, you are closer to the real world and in order to be more prepared, you should be allowed to wear what you want. As far as safety is concerned, this would only seem valid in areas where there is a clear line between what someone wears and their safety. That line is just not as direct for states like Georgia. In certain parts of California, it would make more sense to wear uniforms because those areas are infested with gang violence and gang members are recognized by the colors they wear. If uniforms had to be mandated statewide, I  believe that uniforms would help the most in middle schools. This is the period of school where appearance is everything. Middle schoolers  have more freedom to “express” themselves in what they wear. They are also more likely to be distracted and influenced by the peer pressure to fit in. In my opinion, no matter what you wear, you will still act the way you’re raised to behave. In Georgia, our schools overall have a long way to go and some may feel that mandatory uniforms will help but I believe that this is much bigger  than uniforms.

What do you think ?

Just how important do you think uniforms are in the public school system? Does the school level make a difference in your opinion? (i.e. Do you think that middle schoolers need uniforms but that high schoolers don’t?) If you’re undecided or want to see who sides with you take the poll!

Blog 1: Dollars and No Sense- Where’s the Change !

It’s hard to find anyone who does not want a return on their investment. A quality education is one of the greatest investments one can make for themselves or their children. For all of the money that taxpayers invest into public education, the return has been minimal at best.

Part of the debate is because of the straight line between standardized test scores and government funding. This has led to many unintended consequences for the children affected.

Standardized testing was designed with at least (2) major goals in mind :

(1) Accountability- Standardized testing is supposed to  hold teachers and schools accountable. Theoretically, it would ensure that students are learning the basic concepts and skills needed to successfully move on to the next grade.

(2) Comparison- Standardized testing is  also done for comparison purposes. It allows schools in different districts, states, etc. to be examined side by side. The results of the comparisons would expose the areas of need and then allow for programs to be targeted towards meeting those needs.

The good intentions of standardized testing have become ghosts of the past. The same sub-groups of students in the same areas are still scoring lower on their tests. This has led to yet another troubling consequence. Since so much emphasis is placed on test scores, students are being taught the test and not actually learning the concepts and skills. What answer has been proposed? More funding…

Is spending more money really a viable solution ? Or is it a temporary fix? The millions currently being poured in must first be properly managed before more can be added. If money is continuously being spent but the overall outcome has not changed, then we are only putting a band-aid on something that needs major surgery.

The bottom line is this: When it comes to public education, the enticement for more funding has left America’s children short-changed. 

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”- Benjamin Franklin