“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”
— The Continental Congress, July 4, 1776
“The task of statesmanship has always been the re-definition of these rights in terms of a changing and growing social order.”
— Franklin D. Roosevelt (Commonwealth Club Address, 1932)
“Roosevelt was wrong! The principles laid down in the Declaration of Independence are the principles of individual liberty. Our unalienable rights, given to us by God are given to us as individuals. Our rights do not come from society or the government, and they cannot be redefined by politicians. The nature of these rights carries with it the implication of individual responsibility, without which we surrender them.”
— Perri Nelson, November 6, 2008
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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