Education
After controversy over pineapple question on city schools test, a question about a yam stirs new troubles
Some students had seen the story that the question was based on
BY RACHEL MONAHAN / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Tuesday, April 24, 2012, 10:18 PM
PHOTO BY AP
Tuber troubles on city schools test.
Move over pineapple -- the yam talked, too.
The state’s fourth-grade reading test included an African folk tale about a talking yam, even though versions of the story appeared in test prep books used in city schools, the Daily News has learned.
The state’s fourth-grade reading test included an African folk tale about a talking yam, even though versions of the story appeared in test prep books used in city schools, the Daily News has learned.
While the passage isn’t confusing like one about a talking pineapple yanked from the tests last week, critics charge that using a listening-comprehension passage that was required reading at some schools offered an unfair edge to those students.
“That’s very lazy and sloppy on the part of the testing company,” said education historian Diane Ravitch. “Two big mistakes of this kind — the talking pineapple and the talking yam — makes a strong argument for public release of all the test questions.”
The folk tale involves a farmer startled by his talking yam. Everyone he meets dismisses him as crazy andRead more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/education/controversy-pineapple-question-city-schools-test-a-question-a-yam-stirs-troubles-article-1.1066971#ixzz1t4OwNtpU
Testing Concerns Keep Coming
This permission slip was sent home for a school trip. Will teachers be checking for bus driver licenses?April 25, 2012, 7:55 a.m.
As math exams for the state’s fourth to eighth graders begin on Wednesday, new controversy emerged about the quality of the exams and choices of the exam-maker, Pearson Education.
The Daily News reports that questions have been raised about another passage on the English exams — this one involving a talking yam.
The state’s fourth-grade reading test included an African folk tale about a talking yam, even though versions of the story appeared in test prep books used in city schools, the Daily News has learned.While the passage isn’t confusing like one about a talking