Ore. students set to get choice of graduation test

[Jenny_Jackson]

I cannot believe this. The Oregon Scholastic Graduation test is based on "Life Requirements" and not on what they need to know to be function humans in society. For instance, the test is so stupidly simple they have to be able to balance a simple check book with 10 entries, read a map to the nearest Mall and find their way home from school without getting lost.

Whatever happened to "reading, riting and rithmatic?" Three quarters of the graduates can't read a newspaper or even think of bringing a pen to fill out a job application. Yet they qualify to enter the State Universities. Scary!

The story http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080621/ap_on_re_us/exit_exams;_ylt=AseK8hsnjAnywZ9.AGC7CSms0NUE

 

[sr71plt]

I can see where there's a problem in the depth of knowledge they should have acquired before getting a diploma (and then in getting a college degree), but I don't see what the difference is between "Life Requirements" and "what they need to know to be function humans in society." Sounds like the same thing to me.

 

[3113]

Three quarters of the graduates can't read a newspaper or even think of bringing a pen to fill out a job application.

That's not 'cause they're stupid, Jenny. It's because they're on the internet. They read the news off Yahoo instead of newspapers, and they don't think of bringing a pen because if they want to write anything to anyone they write it on their PDF or cellphone or laptop.

Which is why balancing a checkbook is a very good exercise. They can't rely on Quicken. It really tests the intellect. And finding the nearest mall on a map? Excellent. They can't use MapQuest but have to do it themselves.

Sounds very intellectually challenging.

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

I can see where there's a problem in the depth of knowledge they should have acquired before getting a diploma (and then in getting a college degree), but I don't see what the difference is between "Life Requirements" and "what they need to know to be function humans in society." Sounds like the same thing to me.

It's wrong when the kids are unable to pass even that kind of test. Leave them in high school until they are ready to join up and be productive members of society. I've been a hiring manager. 90% of them spell worse than me, have no idea where the state capitol is (only 40 miles south), can't name for me the current President of the United States and think Iraq is somewhere in South America.

I believe that points out the difference, SR.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

JJ

You see what youre dealing with, dont you? Theyre functionally dead from the genitals up. It's stunning that anyone thinks the Oregon Test is a good idea.

 

[Liar]

I'd say all those things, plus "reading, riting and rithmatic" should be mandatory.

And that you'll need to pass all those before you can be declared mature enough to vote, buy booze, go to college, drive a car, or raise a family.

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

I'd say all those things, plus "reading, riting and rithmatic" should be mandatory.

And that you'll need to pass all those before you can be declared mature enough to vote, buy booze, go to college, drive a car, or raise a family.

You forgot to add: Or allowed to breed.

 

[Liar]

You forgot to add: Or allowed to breed.

I think that was what I meant with the last one.

 

[jomar]

Sounds like a committee derailed.

 

[sr71plt]

It's wrong when the kids are unable to pass even that kind of test. Leave them in high school until they are ready to join up and be productive members of society. I've been a hiring manager. 90% of them spell worse than me, have no idea where the state capitol is (only 40 miles south), can't name for me the current President of the United States and think Iraq is somewhere in South America.

I believe that points out the difference, SR.

Nope, that doesn't answer what the difference is between "Life Requirements" and "what they need to know to be functional humans in society" at all.