32
million Americans are illiterate. Yes, 1
in 10 people in the United States cannot read or function at a level we expect
an adult to be at. One of the reasons we have underachieving students is that they are taught by teachers who lack certain
skills and proficiencies. Now New York
State wants to do away with a literacy exam for teacher certification. Why?
The
Academic Literacy Skills Test (ALST) was only introduced four years ago, to
ensure that aspiring instructors across the state possessed strong language
skills. Are those skills not needed
anymore?
Apparently
critics felt the test was, for whatever reason, lowering the pool of eligible
teaching candidates. In the first year
of testing, there was a plunge of 20% in the number of eligible teachers
because they failed the test.
So
let me get this right. Because the test
weeded out people who obviously were not qualified to be teachers, they did away
with the test? Blame the test, not the
test-takers?
The
dumbing down of standards – both in the classroom for students – and in the
filtering arena for potential teachers – is alarming and disturbing. How will we ever get better students if we
don’t offer them better teachers?
Another
complaint was the literacy test failed black and Latino applicants at a
disproportionately higher rate than whites.
However, it was not pointed out in any of the stories that I read as to
why this was. Was there inherent bias in
the test itself – or are minority candidates less qualified than others?
According to state data, 61% of those who took the literacy test have passed it. But there were racial disparities:
38% of blacks passed.
46% of Hispanics passed.
53% of Asians passed.
69% of whites passed.
According to state data, 61% of those who took the literacy test have passed it. But there were racial disparities:
38% of blacks passed.
46% of Hispanics passed.
53% of Asians passed.
69% of whites passed.
Some
argued the literacy test was redundant since these applicants already had
college degrees. Well, obviously they
didn’t learn all that was required.
So
this iswhat we do when a challenge is too difficult, we just abolish the test or
water it down? When the standards are
compromised, society suffers.
The
State Board of Regents claims several education experts found the ALST to be an
unreliable indicator of language skills and teaching ability, that the test was
somehow structurally flawed.
Supposedly, candidates to become teachers will still have to exhibit knowledge and teaching
proficiency before they can be certified.
To replace the ALST, a revised testing system will expand in order to
encompass reading and writing assessment.
I’m
sure that will only last if enough people pass it, otherwise we’ll again see a
change until enough subpar individuals get to teach our children and dilute the
education system for the next generation.
This
latest change gets a failing grade and all Americans should feel shortchanged
and outraged. We can’t expect perfection
but we should not rig the system to guarantee that weak, unqualified people get
the keys to our kids’ minds.
Don’t Miss These!!
Do we really
understand the book reader?
Do writers
need a boot camp to regain their mojo?
22 Reasons
Other Than To Sell Books: Why Do Authors Pursue Book Publicity?
Do writers
have the magic eye for book publicity?
Ruling In
Favor Of A People’s Court For Book Publishing Industry
Do Our
Dictionaries Actually Make Us Dumber?
Will YouTube
Actually Save Or Kill All Books?
Author Book Publicity & Marketing Toolkit:
2017
An insightful interview With PEN America
Executive Director Suzanne Nossel
How
To Craft Press Releases That Net Your Book Media Exposure
How To Overcome Book Marketer's Block in 10
Easy Steps http://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2017/01/overcoming-book-marketers-block-in-10.html
Brian Feinblum’s views,
opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his
employer. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him
at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the
third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog 2017©. Born and
raised in Brooklyn, now resides in Westchester. Named one of the best book
marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.