Newt Gingrich: Let's End Adolescence

[Naked Gents Rut]

Sounds like someone didn't do too well on the SAT 20+ years ago...

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by Naked Gents Rut
Sounds like someone didn't do too well on the SAT 20+ years ago...

I doubt would have done too well when I was 12 or younger, no.

[Ben Kenobi]

If you've actually taken the SAT and still believe it to be an adequate or useful means of gauging student aptitude, then you've really got no excuse for wanting to bring it to Canada, except perhaps as a continuing part of your general anti-Canada attitude.

If we had a credible alternative, I'd support such a test.

There were plenty of students in my high school that paid to have the chance to take the SAT. Put all of our money together it was more then enough to bring the test up here and make money for the school district.

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi
=There were plenty of students in my high school that paid to have the chance to take the SAT.

That's not because of their feelings as to the quality of the test and reliability for scoring aptitude, but rather because they knew many U.S. schools use it and it would perhaps improve their chances of entry.

These days, the SAT is fairly meaningless because it's relatively easy to "teach to the test." Students spend courses cramming to answer the kinds of questions that will be asked rather than doing real learning.

If we're fantasizing about revamping the education system anyway, there's no reason to continue with the SAT.

[Ben Kenobi]

That's not because of their feelings as to the quality of the test and reliability for scoring aptitude, but rather because they knew many U.S. schools use it and it would perhaps improve their chances of entry.

It also provides a measure for assessing students in different states and provinces. I took it myself, as I wanted to keep doors open in the US should I want to go to school down there.

If we're fantasizing about revamping the education system anyway, there's no reason to continue with the SAT.

What would you replace it with?

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi
It also provides a measure for assessing students in different states and provinces. I took it myself, as I wanted to keep doors open in the US should I want to go to school down there.

I rest my case.

What would you replace it with?

I'd start with something more akin to the subject-specific ACTs. But if we're really fantasizing about a perfect education system, I'd go for a system where standardized testing wasn't done at all, as student transcripts + writing evaluations would be sufficient.

[Ben Kenobi]

I'd start with something more akin to the subject-specific ACTs. But if we're really fantasizing about a perfect education system, I'd go for a system where standardized testing wasn't done at all, as student transcripts + writing evaluations would be sufficient.

We already have those up here. What we don't have is anything to help assess students in different provinces.

The problem with student transcripts is that they all have to be interpreted based on the university's reputation, universities tend to treat different schools grades differently.

[SlowwHand]

What about French-inclined? Do you grade them on a curve?

[Ben Kenobi]

It's all done by provinces here.

The only folks who have a say in the Quebec system are the folks in Quebec.

[GePap]

Most societies in the world have adolecense now, and most of them have made it "work". The failures of American education have more to do with attempts to undermine it than by it not being a workable concept.

We are obviously better off today than in the times Newt harkens back to, and I think a good question would be if we owe our good times to adolecense- besides, there are no laws preventing teenagers from doing adult things and acting in adult ways. And besides, many adults are and always have been idiots.

[Seeker]

We need to import Che'pol (corporal punishment) from South Korea to the english countries.

It's unpleasant, but it sure works. More politeness, harder working, quieter, less insolence, etc etc.

98% of kids have absolutely no concept of 'the future' and are therefore largely unmoved by rewards and punishments set even a few hours into the future.

Long live the Love Stick!

I've been working in Korean Middle, High, and Elementary schools for several years now so I might be biased.

It's not nice, but it's 'What Works' for all but the tiny proportion of precocious little professors.

[Seedle]

Originally posted by Seeker
We need to import Che'pol (corporal punishment) from South Korea to the english countries.

It's unpleasant, but it sure works. More politeness, harder working, quieter, less insolence, etc etc.

98% of kids have absolutely no concept of 'the future' and are therefore largely unmoved by rewards and punishments set even a few hours into the future.

Long live the Love Stick!

I've been working in Korean Middle, High, and Elementary schools for several years now so I might be biased.

It's not nice, but it's 'What Works' for all but the tiny proportion of precocious little professors.

Only if the kids get to hit back. Otherwise, **** you to hell ****er.

98% of kids have absolutely no concept of 'the future' and are therefore largely unmoved by rewards and punishments set even a few hours into the future.

No. You are a ****ing moron.

[TCO]

I agree with him. Be as rebellious as you want. Just pay for your own food. Not from parents.

[giblets]

Glad to have him on my side.

http://www.businessweek.com/print/ma...7085289974.htm

I really don't like this idea. I don't want a president who thinks the biggest problem faced by 13-year-olds is that they don't have jobs. Oh, and their lack of earned income is responsible for a meth epidemic? And making them learn more slowly than the Indians and Chinese?

Newt Gingrich is a bigoted, rabid right-wing monster.

It's too bad MrFun didn't elaborate when he wrote this, I would like to know more about how Gingrich is a rabid monster.

[Heraclitus]

Not based on grades, maybe, but based on standardized testing?

JM

Think for 60 seconds measured by a physical clock why this might be acceptable in say Finland but wouldn't be possible in the US.

98% of kids have absolutely no concept of 'the future' and are therefore largely unmoved by rewards and punishments set even a few hours into the future.

And most adults differ... how?