Eugene David<br>...The One-Minute Pundit

Posted 9:27 PM by Gene

Diane Ravitch, on a site run by the CRONIKUL OF HYER EHDYUKAYSHUN, of all places:

The current regime of testing is aimed at raising the test scores of students who are performing poorly. It is an entirely skills-based approach, geared toward using the threat of federal sanctions to raise a low common denominator. It leaves out subjects like history, civics, literature, the arts, foreign languages — and advanced courses in every subject. As a result, many states have adopted a dumbed-down definition of proficiency.

Under the old regime of the College Board, the nation's schools had standards that were uniform, predictable, and elevating; they were written and revised by those who were in the nation's classrooms. Today the states and the federal government have taken over the responsibility for setting the nation's standards. So far the results are unimpressive. It is by no means clear that public officials, given political and bureaucratic constraints, can accomplish what the College Board once did — or that they even know what ought to be done.

Where are Butler and Eliot now that we need them again?

(Via Arts & Letters Daily, which is also run by the CRONIKUL OF HYER EHDYUKAYSHUN)