Pwns wrote:OSBF wrote:
BULLSHIT
I got through college with very little effort and a GPA about 3.8 because I knew how to take tests. Got through high school with even less effort, taking mostly all college prep classes. If what you say is true, then explain to me why teaching students take entire courses on how to write tests, how to write lesson plans and the like.
Sure wish the homeschool wacko's had to meet the same criteria in order to be an "educator" that any other teacher, public or private school, does. Any one claiming to be able to educate children should be forced to have a state license, just like any other teacher.
You didn't address my points.
1. Do you think all homeschooling parents do nothing but train their kids to do well on tests?
2. And even if they do, do the public schools basically do the same thing with NCLB that the federal government in its infinite wisdom instituted? How is it public school kids still get their a**es handed to them in test scores?
3. Do you honestly think it is possible to do well on tests without mastering the content knowledge? Especially when it comes to scores in math and reading comprehension?
4. Do you know of a better way to test competency of kids in subject matter?
LoL at that last sentence of yours. Most of the most effective instructors I have had are college professors who have never set foot inside any education class. Our education classes basically teach nothing but Mickey Mouse nonsense, broken theories or pedagogy, and mindless idealism. They are attracting the lowest achieving students and there's basically no rigor whatsoever in the education coursework. How anyone could say certification in the modern-day college of education makes you a better teacher is beyond me.
1) Any educational system that forces educators to teach to a mandated standardized test is flawed. Standaradized tests are a poor indicator or learning and teaching. I think most people homeschool because they are terrified of their children being exposed to an environment that fosters the free exchange of ideas, critical thinking, and allows for individual thoughts and expression of ideas. They are affraid to expose their kids to anyone that doesn't think, act, and have the same color skin that they do because all their brainwashing and propoganda will be exposed as a fraud.
2) Again, standard tests are a poor indicator, but anyone with even a 3rd grade understanding of statistical methods can explain what's going on. In a public school each and every student takes the same mandated standard tests to measure AYP. Even the LD students, some of which may have measured IQ's in the 70's. You don't find these special needs students at home or in a private college prep HS. If you could do a little statistical analysis of the scores and compare apples to apples the scores are virtually identical. If you look at public school students taking AP and college prep coursework, they score the same as homeschool and private school students. Privates can turn away these special needs students, publics don't have that as an option. Most private school students are also headed for college of some type, very few go to work or military right after graduation, which isn't so uncommon with public school students.
3) Yes, I'm an excellent test taker, I learned how to do it. With a very basic understanding of the material, I could do quite well on any multiple guess test written by someone that hasn't been trained on how to properly compose evaluation documents. I know what to look for, can sort out the right answers from the bullshit fairly easily. If you're talking about fill in the blank or essay format, well, those formats are more challenging, but no standardized testing usese those formats.
4) Yes, as a matter of fact I do. Allow teachers to teach the material and course content and do their own evaluation rather than teaching to a govt mandated standard evaluation instrument. Real education is not attemrting to store bits of specific information in short term memory then puke it back out by filling in ovals with a #2 pencil. Education is a free exchange of ideas and perspectives, an opportunity for personal growth and expanding your mind. Perhaps you even acquire enough perspective on something to alter how you view a topic or issue. Real learning is not vomitting back information, real learning is applying and using information, and perhaps a good measure of personal growth included.