Global Achievement Gap- Chapter 3: Testing 1 2 3

Question: To what extent do the state tests assess the skills that mattert most for work, citizenship and college?

• No use or way of assessing 7 survival skills on standardized state tests.
• Science and math knowledge doesn't really affect lifelong success.
• People who support NCLB say that there is proven fact that taking high level math or science classes results in better success in life.
• What they did not factor in is the fact that a correlation between two things does NOT give a cause and affect relationship.
• Example: Ice cream leads to more drownings.  (In reality, ice cream and drowning have something in common, most likely it is summer out which is why a person would be swimming and they are having ice cream.  Two correlated things that I just used to "prove" cause and affect.)
• The NCLB law affects students pointlessly, it assesses students using multiple choice, which is pointless because it doesn't require you to think.
• There are good test that do assess some of the 7 survival skills
• Open-ended questions and tests that require you to explain your reasoning for giving that answer.
• Open-ended tests cost a lot more money than standardized tests that use multiple choice
• It is easier to give multiple choice because it is easier to correct.
• AP classes are rigourous.
• But only for tests, it is all to get you ready to take a test.