Lincoln Public School Grading Policy Change?

Original Article - Sorry, can't find relative material at LPS.org

Summary goes here!

I heard this from my daughter and confirmed by school principle.

LPS is discussing the possible change in the way middle school students are graded. The basic idea is that grades will be based on tests only, the homework and assignment are considered a separate item that evaluates a student's behavior.

An argument I learned from the principle is that people are wondered why should we keep ponding on these students for assignments if they can performed well in tests.

In general, this is a sound argument. But, I have to be causals. At this point in time, in general, grade is all people care and I can see the 'behavior' item been ignored totally. The question: Will this produce a right mind set for our youth?

As we all understand that no all kids are born equal and we also understand that not all people with highest grade accomplished the most. If there come a time that society and these young kids understand these, I will say the approach is OK. But! Are our society understand all these implications? Will colleges look into the value of assignments?

Once thing troubles me is that bright kids will begin to ignore assignments and could be ignorant to the fact that smart isn't every thing. The worst is that they will ignore the importance of working hard and better use of their gifts.

The implementation of this policy could also undermined the importance of work ethic especially for those young mind.

Grading the AP Curriculum

Original Article

we need better accountability for colleges and maybe, just maybe, in the way of cross college tests. However, this will happen only if employers are interested in knowing it.

Personally, I don't have much experience with AP. But based on the comments and description, I believe College Board did the right thing in taking the auditing action even though the claim of college level is truly un-necessary.

If conduct properly, the AP test is all it need to insure the quality and accountability. By publishing the statistics of AP test at high school level is enough to hold high school accountable. The decision in whether or how to use the score for admission purposes is up to the colleges. The suggestion of widening the score range by Hoosier Ed is a good one.

If you read Frizbane Manley's comment, you will agree with me that we need better accountability for colleges and maybe, just maybe, in the way of cross college tests. However, this will happen only if employers are interested in knowing it.

==== My comment at InsideHigherEd.com
Personally, I think what College Board should do is concentrate on making the test the best it can be and publish the test statistics of high school - this will hold the high school accountable. It's not that the audit is bad, but this is the final line.

As to professor Manley's joke about customers, I am sure part of the problem is because professor give out the grade. Just suppose for a moment that if grades are evaluated by third parties, students will see professors as allies and wouldn't blame the pressure from the professor.

Closing the College Achievement Gap

Original Article - Initiatives taken by couple of institutions.

Summary goes here!

It is a good thing that college leaders are thinking about these things. But, as I repeatedly advocated on my articles, I echo the view of the comments of CJProf.

The success of most Asian, not all but most, should really be studied and understand. It should shed lights on certain claims.

In general, I don't like the idea of quotas that based on population proportion.

As I discussed in my articles, the society as whole have to take closer look at what is the real goal and what is the real fair way of doing things.

== My comments at InsideHigherEd.com
As I mentioned a lot in my postings, I agree with CJProf that the root of the problem is the society.

The success of most Asian, most but not all, should shed lights on some of the claims. My father used to say it take generations to prosper. I understand that this is a passive action, but it shows the patience and willingness in invest everything in their children - they have taken all of these as their responsibilities. With kids of my own, I understand how difficult it is to implant the right attitudes in them.