Arizona requires that graduating high school students pass a civics test of 100 questions with a passing score of 60.
I see a lot of good that could come out of this, but I also see a down side. What do you think, good or bad? And while we're on the subject, are high school exit exams good or bad?
Is this requirement a way to "compel" kids to learn something, or is it an admission of failure?
A tough dilemma. In an exit exam such as this, most students will merely cram for the test, and then forget it all after that precious diploma is in hand.
ReplyDeleteThey only need a 60% pass, so why kill themselves studying?
Exit exams--I'm not sure if they are good or bad. I have "feelings" about them but I have no rational basis to actually a mind about them one way or another.
Well, I oppose all exit exams, so I'll jump on board to oppose this one, as well. But this one seems ridiculous, spiteful, and potentially embarrassing. Ridiculous: this may seem like a radical idea … but if we want our students, who are already citizens, mostly, to know about the US government? Maybe we could require they pass a class in that subject, presumably covering the material on this test, as a high school graduation requirement? Oh--wait. We already do that. Spiteful: I fully support AZ's measures to better control their borders and be able to verify legal status -- so I'm far from liberal on this. But if you you're willing to be honest? This is an attempt to make Mexican immigrants, legal or not, look stupid. which leads directly to …potentially embarrassing. Because I can virtually guarantee that the immigrants who are trying for citizenship will outperform the ones who are already citizens.
ReplyDeleteI would welcome something similar in Texas. We have students who are old enough to vote who have no idea how government is supposed to work.
ReplyDeleteMax: if they do, GOOD ON THEM!
ReplyDeleteI don't see this as spiteful towards Hispanics, who are just as capable as white at learning (or not learning) how our government is supposed to work.
I think it's a sign, though, that too many people don't think that required civics class is doing very well.
And didn't you always talk about kids having to have some "skin in the game" if standardized tests are to have any meaning at all? *That's* why it's a graduation requirement.
1) Come on. This was obviously directed at Hispanics. Doesn't make it a bad thing to low, but given that it's AZ, I am skeptical of their motives.
ReplyDelete2) I would agree. So, make the government class better, and incorporate that curriculum in to the class. But skin in the game? Government is already a graduation requirement.
3) Which, as a student, would you care more about: graduating from high school, or becoming a US citizen AND graduating from high school. Not even a contest…
The problems are the same as always in the ed world: who will write the tests? and why would you assume the tests won't be captured by ideologues the way so much of education has.
ReplyDeleteAuntie Ann, that is definitely an issue. I can imagine a question about the "living Constitution"....
ReplyDelete"a bad thing to 'low'?' Will some Mac friendly person please tell me how to disengage my auto correct?
ReplyDelete"Will some Mac friendly person please tell me how to disengage my auto correct?"
ReplyDeleteTry unchecking: System Preferences/Keyboard/Text/"Correct spelling automatically"
-Mark Roulo
Thanks Mark … I tried it, but got nothing close to that option under text …
ReplyDelete