Sunday, May 13, 2012

Jersey Jazzman: Calling Stupidity Stupid

Jersey Jazzman: Calling Stupidity Stupid:


Calling Stupidity Stupid

Earlier, I blogged about the one absurd test item (that we know) that came out of the last round of the NJASK. This follows on the heels of Pineapplegate, the absurd question on the 8th Grade NY Regents exam.

Diane Ravitch turns to the NJASK story, and asks a very good question:

What exactly is the point of this question? It does not ask the students to explain what he or she has learned. It is not related to what they were taught or should have learned.
It is intrusive, nosy, pointless, and stupid.
Hmm... what is the point? I think Jonathan Kozol, speaking on another topic, gives us a clue:
In some districts, even the most pleasant and old-fashioned class activities