Recently, the Providence Student Union persuaded 50 accomplished professionals to take a math test made up of items released from the test required for high school graduation.
I think that anyone who demands more tests or that all students should take the same tests should take the same tests and release their scores.
This reader has a suggestion:
“I believe that anyone who is contemplating running for U.S. Senator or Representative should have to pass their state’s standardized test in the four core areas in order to qualify for that position. Those students who are on a college track should be tested. Unfortunately, many of the students with disabilities and those who desire a trades occupation are discouraged by school because of these tests…they need to be tracked in a way different from those who aspire to go to college.”
Diane Ravitch's blog 
when florida started the fcat, all the english teachers at my school took the reading portion. i was stunned at how many teachers did poorly. i am proud to say that i was not one of them. but i will admit that i attempted the math portion and failed.
testing needs to be based on real world need, not on some fantasy of bureaucrats.
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This is what my mother’s generation did in New York State: the college track kids took the tougher curriculum and the Regent’s Exam for their high school diploma, which was called a Regent’s Diploma. It was valued more than a standard diploma. Standard diploma people were encouraged to go to trade schools.
Then, for some reason, we decided my generation could all go to college. Same curriculum for everyone, same tests for everyone. Then we’re suprised that college is the new high school. Now many trade jobs require associate’s degrees because we’ve decided all high school kids need algebra II, four years of English, and classes in all the arts instead of career education. We’ve got these “career colleges” like Kaiser charging an arm and a leg for degrees students could have earned in high school if we would go back to the old structure of schools.
We need to go back to tracking to give the appropriate education to everyone. Equal isn’t working. Unless our priority isn’t education, and is instead the big $$$ that can be made by organizations like Kaiser .and the testing companies.
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Most definitely! Those aspiring to run for office at all levels should be required to take tests. Scores shoukd be made public. Anyone working for the government should have the intelligence to understand how government works. Before we vote, we should know how intelligent and current their knowledge is. It woukd also be good to give them a test in economics. This should go beyond basic math skills. We have elected unintelligent “know nothings” for far too long.
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I agree with this. Politicians cite that accountability comes down to election time. No, it doesn’t. Money makes incumbent politicians untouchable. Many of these people never worry about testing because they and their children attended private schools where testing is not done. Where success is based more on who knows who than how smart you really are. I think it is time they have a taste of their own medicine.
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Personally I would prefer a high-stakes standardized ethics and morality test for aspiring politicians, but then, I live in Chicago.
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To answer the title of this entry: NO ONE!!!
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While colleges and universities lament the need for remediation courses for so many entering students, school districts like mine tout the fact that ALL high school students are in “college prep” courses of study.
End result:
1. A disregard and disrespect for students who decide on a career path that does not include a college or university program of study.
2. A “dumbing down” of standard “college prep” high school curriculum. How else can they pretend to be teaching it to everyone?
3. College freshman who are not ready – and require remediation.
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All 50 Governors should be required to field test their high stakes tests…on themselves.
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