Diane Ravitch's latest book addresses recent trends in American schools -- especially the testing mandated by No Child Left Behind and the drive for a national curriculum. The US has no national exit exam although the SAT, ACT and GED are high school level standardized national tests. The National Council of Supervisors of Math published Robin's article "Get Smart! Take the SAT!" in its Winter 2011 issue. Math Confidence's video highlights how the graphing calculator has changed Math and Math education. |
In this timely book, longtime education expert Diane Ravitch discusses the complications that followed the well-intended No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Ravitch critiques many ideas for reform including charter schools, teacher evaluations and privatization. The subtitle "How Testing and Choice Are Undermining Education" describes the importance of learning over testing, the benefit of family involvement and the need for a national curriculum and higher quality testing.
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Get Smart! Take the SAT!
Robin's article "Get Smart! Take the SAT!" in the National Council of Supervisors of Math Winter 2011 newsletter was inspired by taking the SAT in 2009. Studying the College Board's materials is a great strategy as they are very representative of the actual exam.
By viewing test prep as an opportunity for learning, people can improve their brain fitness (just like going to the gym increases physical fitness). There are benefits to test-taking beyond trying to improve your score -- taking tests makes you smarter -- as studying grammar and reading comprehension made me sharper. In January, the New York Times ran an article on how test-taking can cement knowledge. This year, I am studying for the SAT Math IIs in June and the ACT in the Fall.
Math Confidence blog on the SAT
NYT on Test-Taking Cements Knowledge
NCSM Web Site
SAT Question of the Day
Register for the SAT
Register for the ACT |
