Part-time "teaching to the test" isn't working.
Published Mon, Nov 27 2006 11:22 PM
Technorati Tags: Political Correctness, Education
From the Seattle Times:
Current high-school students can pass math classes as an alternative to the math section of the Washington Assessment of Student Learning, under a joint proposal by Gov. Christine Gregoire and state schools Superintendent Terry Bergeson.
Passing three sections of the WASL, including math, became a graduation requirement starting with this year's high-school juniors, the class of 2008. Gregoire and Bergeson announced today they will propose to the Legislature a temporary suspension for the classes of 2008, 2009 and 2010.
Why? It's obvious the math classes aren't working. If they were, then maybe more than 51% of students would be passing the math section of the WASL. Maybe if they actually taught mathematics instead of the dreck that passes for mathematics in the new "Reform" method of teaching the students might actually be competitive.
Mathematics isn't about a consensus. It's not about self esteem. It's about rigor, logic, and above all getting the correct answer. I don't want someone that couldn't pass the 10th grade math section of the WASL doing the engineering calculations for the replacement for the Alaskan Way Viaduct if and when it ever gets started.
Teachers I've listened to when I go to parent-teacher conferences complain that with the WASL they have to "teach to the test" instead of teaching what they want to teach. That's just too bad. Maybe if they taught to the standards that students are expected to meet the students might meet the standards. And then, maybe those students wouldn't need remedial education just to make the grade in college, or in the business world.
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