Public Intelligence and State Education Testing--Is There a Connection?

[NoFederales]

Public Intelligence and the Missouri MAP Test As Reported in the Sunday Joplin Globe, 8-28-2005

Many folks have wondered how a nation such as the US could be so hoodwinked by callous and corrupted politicians and the corporatists who bankroll them. Let’s take a “fun” look at the State’s mandated education testing instrument, the MAP Test. Results are out from the 2005 Spring Event. Communication Arts—SW MO seems hard put to Show Me why almost 1/3 of those High School Juniors have only minimal understanding of simple concepts, and little or no ability to apply that knowledge. The State’s Average is even worse, about 35%. ( Geez, I can feel somewhat better, eh?)

In mathematics and science the scores are worse, ranging from 50 to 60% of NOT knowing simple concepts, of being able to apply them, and of course the usual host of serious errors. If you throw in the next category—NEARING PROFICIENCY—the percentages swell to Comm Arts, >75%; Math, >80%; Science, >90% (just looking at the State Averages). That leaves students who are judged to be COMPETENT in communication arts at <25%; in math at <20%; and in science at < 10%. I did not make these numbers up, these are Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) calculations. You can get your school results from DESE, or from a local paper, if they will print it.

Keep in mind that the Nearing Proficiency category simply indicates that some knowledge of concepts exists, but that there are major problems in demonstrating that this knowledge can be applied. This trend has been worsening since the Bush Administration’s NCLB, but DESE’s braintrust—MAP—has hardly been a benchmark of anything except to underscore how NOT to test children.

If the above “standard results” from the Show Me State are indicative of Public Intelligence, then it is no wonder how a society can be so easily misled. Do not let public officials claim that things are, or will be, just fine in due course. Do not let school administrations claim, without challenge, that our schools are better than the State Average as an excuse that justifies continuing the same old methods. Do Missourians want a third world order education—one that makes us so stupid that we will accept any corrupt and malicious abuse?

I know that Duers are concerned with politics, the environment, peace, etc., but in a collectively stupid society, the intelligent minority may as well not exist.

Note: Categories of the MAP are
Advanced
Proficient
Nearing Proficiency
Progressing
Step One

Source: MO Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

NoFederales

[LWolf]

1. That's if

you consider those test results to be valid and reliable. There are several reasons to negate that supposition. I've posted them several times here on DU over the years.

These scores correlate more closely to socio-economic levels than any other factor; well-known and documented before the current "high-stakes" testing era.

The formulas used to arrive at "AYPs" are statistically suspect, according to my psychological measurement textbook and my former professor.

A perfect political tool to shake public confidence in the public ed system, gain control, and proceed to corrupt it to other political agendas.

Public intelligence? If you are looking for sources of decline, try long-term anti-intellectual propaganda, increased addiction to commercial mass media, decreased valuing of intellect as a whole across the nation.

Also look at the long-term results of the conservative takeover of school curriculum and policies; brains who are, from the youngest ages, trained to listen, memorize and repeat, and discouraged from independent thinking.

[NoFederales]

2. You are correct

The print and electronic media, however, will never go into the depth you just demonstrated. The "hook", so shamelessly employed in titling, is supposed to catch the eye at an attempt at perusal--if sex and entertainment are espied, so much greater the chance at getting a reading.

A great challenge facing us is that public confidence becomes so low that OfficialDom can indeed kill public education "below the radar", so to speak, and then where are we? Are our Youth actually stupid? No! But in a Social Climate such as that being fostered by the extremists today, being fearful to speak intelligently is a real concern. Look at the power religious myth exercises over the world's population as an example of discouragement from independent thinking. Is a fine 13th century mind the goal of this present adminstration? Is the education establishment so enthralled within itself as to be blind to the outside realities in which it exists?

NoFederales

[LWolf]

3. That's a sharply accurate observation.

Here's a small ray of light:

I recently moved to another state. I worked in public ed in CA for 22 years, and saw Pete Wilson usher in the "standards and accountability" aka "blame and punish public ed for societal ills" movement while GWB was busy doing the same as governor of Texas. When the federal version came along, it simply multiplied what we already had in place. Standardization of curriculum and delivery became the norm. That doesn't sound so bad, until you look at what that really means. Scripted curriculums and pacing schedules, all "direct instruction" (listen to the teacher talk) all the time, hear, see, repeat, repeat, drill, drill, with no time in the day for actual thought. I began to hate my job. I couldn't stand it. So I left the state.

This new state has standards, tests, etc., but no previously existing agenda. I have been delighted to find a district that focuses on serving the individual student, and helping every individual achieve their best. No scripts, no dogma, just serving students. I hope I can finish my career here over the next 15 years or so, and I hope that destructive federal policies have been revoked before we reach the point they can take over and change the flavor here.

It's nice to know that there are still some places where it's ok to let children think, and to actually enjoy learning.

[NoFederales]

4. There is hope

"It's nice to know that there are still some places where it's ok to let children think, and to actually enjoy learning."

Indeed! Kids often will learn in spite of us, but how much more could be accomplished with everyone on the same page? There are enclaves of enlightenment and for those who can, fighting to keep them or to establish them is a worthy fight.

NoFederales

[ElsewheresDaughter]

5. agreed