Bill would put lawmakers to the test, requires them to take standardized tests

[proud2BlibKansan]

Is your state lawmaker smarter than a third-grader?

A bill in Lansing would put to the test the elementary school-level skills of Michigan’s 110 state representatives and 38 senators, as well as the governor, state superintendent of education and state Board of Education.

All would be required to take standardized tests required of Michigan’s third- eighth- and 11th-grade students under the proposed Mandatory Public School Test Validation Act. Their results would be posted online.

The requirement would give lawmakers firsthand knowledge of the exams, which some lawmakers think should be a determining factor in teacher evaluation and pay, said state Rep. Tom McMillin, R-Rochester Hills. He is the bill’s sponsor.

McMillin said the testing process also would create transparency with the disputed Smarter Balanced testing that accompanies the Common Core State Standards for English and math. He is leading a fight to keep Common Core out of schools.

more . . . http://www.livingstondaily.com/article/20130823/NEWS01/308230017/Bill-would-put-lawmakers-test

[Fumesucker]

1. Brilliant!

That would be comedy gold with our state legislators.
.
Please, please release the scores publicly

[hobbit709]

2. I don't even want to think what the possibilities would be here in TX

I'd probably die laughing.

[maddezmom]

3. Was thinking the same

[Downwinder]

7. 86.2% of Texas Legislators have bachelor's or higher degrees.

http://chronicle.com/article/Degrees-in-the-Statehouse-/127797/

Not sure what this indicates about the education system.

[beerandjesus]

9. It indicates that religious diploma mills are a good way to make money!

[hobbit709]

12. Rick Perry has a degree from A&M

And he's the epitome of an Aggie joke.

[BlueToTheBone]

17. So does Rick Perry. I think it might

say that their schools don't teach much.

[LuvNewcastle]

4. They need to drug test them too.

If it's so good for people on welfare, it should be beneficial to them as well.

[hobbit709]

5. If nothing else, we'd find out what they're on when they come up with all the crazy.

[Alkene]

10. Drug test requirement:

not testing positive for cannabis, disqualified.

Okay, maybe with some exemptions.

[dotymed]

19. My thoughts exactly.

It is mandatory in most jobs also. A pre-employment drug test and (usually) random drug tests throughout their employment.

IMO, most politicians would find it hard to do well on either one. Most of them are hypocrites (do as I say, not as I do) and as their employers we have the same rights that private sector employers use. If one of them gets injured on the job...drug test before insurance covers it also. Personally, I think these drug tests are a scam and an invasion of our privacy (especially if the "employee" is partaking on their own time) but, since most average (blue-collar) workers are required to participate or lose their job/insurance coverage, it should be the same for public officials.
If this became law, I bet that this practice would suddenly be universally seen for what it is... an invasion of privacy and unanimously
stricken from the workplace "laws" that we must contend with.
As for the I.Q. tests, average workers must prove their competency for a job before they are hired/promoted to it...
Talk about "affirmative action" for the wealthy...

I am fed up with this "two sets of rules" crap, fairness is the only way to go.

[Half-Century Man]

6. While I don't favor testing to be able to vote, Testing while in office is GREAT!

Any testing made mandatory by administrators should be mandatory for administrators.
I like the testing spread of 3d,8th and 11th as well. Just .25% of what they are requiring for children should be no problem for our public wise men, right?
And mandatory posting of all grades on the State's Official Web Site.

[Dash87]

8. Standardized tests are racist, and shouldn't be used anywhere.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

11. Funny, but they are protected by Article 1, Section 9, Clause 3 of the US Constitution.

The kids are not.

[sinkingfeeling]

13. Great idea!

[JayhawkSD]

14. it would help, if lawmakers were stupid.

We keep talking about how bankers were too stupid to see the bubble, lawmakers are too stupid to see this or that...

THEY ARE NOT STUPID. They want us to think they are stupid so that we do not throw them in prison. They are CORRUPT, right down to their socks. We don't put stupid people in prison, we do imprison people who run ponzi schemes and legislators who take bribes.

They know exactly what they are doing, they know what the outcome will be and THEY DON'T CARE. The care only that they, personally, will walk away with more money in the process.

They are not stuipd, they are deeply evil.

[NewJeffCT]

15. The earth is approximately

a) 6,000 years old
b) 4.5 billion years old
c) 1 million years old
d) none of the above

[freshwest]

25. Earth is not real. None of this means anything. So give me your money.

Okay, I got nothing.

[demwing]

16. Politicians should also have their diet restricted

They live on the public dole. Why should we pay for their steak and lobster dinners?

[NightWatcher]

18. The Earth is a) flat or b) round. Special election to replace all repukes.

[apples and oranges]

20. Great idea! Do this nationwide

It would solve our republican problem.

[proud2BlibKansan]

24. Except a Republican introduced this bill.

[freshwest]

26. They shall all flunk the test, then:

[felix_numinous]

21. They need to be tested for sociopathy too

I know that would never happen but had to say it. I wonder who would be left?

[proud2BlibKansan]

23. Now that's an idea I can support.

[liberal_at_heart]

22. I LOVE IT!

[davidpdx]

27. Most of them wouldn't pass