Comments on: Arkansas Tests Too Easy? http://mid-riffs.com/2010/01/arkansas-tests-too-easy/ a view from mid-America Fri, 08 Apr 2011 15:16:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Jarhead http://mid-riffs.com/2010/01/arkansas-tests-too-easy/comment-page-1/#comment-22743 Jarhead Wed, 13 Jan 2010 05:13:19 +0000 http://mid-riffs.com/?p=2167#comment-22743 I agree that most students don’t need to take advanced math classes, although, I don’t consider algebra and geometry advanced since many people unconsciously use the skills from these classes in their daily lives. But, just because you don’t need algebra II, trig, or calculus doesn’t mean your algebra class should be “dumbed down”. Unfortunately, the Arkansas Department of Education has opted to bump up its NCLB test results by setting a ridiculously low threshold for mastery of algebra. I think this is a major failing of tracking systems. Students who are not college-bound are put in easier basic classes because it is assumed that since they don’t need advanced skills then they don’t need strong basic skills. Americans need to take a hard look at what classes we require all students to take, but whatever classes we do require need to be high quality. That means they must be rigorous. I agree that most students don’t need to take advanced math classes, although, I don’t consider algebra and geometry advanced since many people unconsciously use the skills from these classes in their daily lives. But, just because you don’t need algebra II, trig, or calculus doesn’t mean your algebra class should be “dumbed down”. Unfortunately, the Arkansas Department of Education has opted to bump up its NCLB test results by setting a ridiculously low threshold for mastery of algebra.

I think this is a major failing of tracking systems. Students who are not college-bound are put in easier basic classes because it is assumed that since they don’t need advanced skills then they don’t need strong basic skills.

Americans need to take a hard look at what classes we require all students to take, but whatever classes we do require need to be high quality. That means they must be rigorous.

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