The primary motivation in reading development is a need to read and many kids who struggle don't feel that need. Reading in a world of test prep equals tedium and with the pressure and threats of being left back added, becomes an often joyless exercise.Build an enriched curriculum and they will come. And improve their reading in surprising ways. Of course, there are often some techinical issues, like poor phonics, that may interfere in the process, but those are relatively easy to solve.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
More on Scarsdale's Decision to Cut AP
Education Notes Online has a good post on Scarsdale's move to nix Advanced Placement in favor of a more constructivist, student-centered curriculum. Ed Notes responds to Joel Klein's position that kids need to develop basic skills before they can enjoy the benefits of an enriched education:
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>>>> I don't think scarsdale getting rid of their AP classes matters at all for
>>>> the future success of scarsdale students. According to the NYT article,
>>>> basically the same number of students are still taking and passing the AP
>>>> tests, without the AP classes. Also, they have an army of college counselors
>>>> making sure all the important universities understand how superior their new
>>>> curriculum is.
>>>>
>>>> However, I don't like the idea of a precedent being set for all high schools
>>>> that its ok to get rid of AP classes. AP scores are a national standard by
>>>> which to judge college applicants. I think having as many national metrics
>>>> as possible to assess students is a good thing and AP tests can be a bright
>>>> point for students from average or below average high schools. My high
>>>> school didn't offer AP, so I'm not really familiar, but I would conjecture
>>>> that AP test awareness and passage rate is MUCH higher for students who take
>>>> AP classes. I think schools considering getting rid of AP classes is a
>>>> slippery slope toward a less level playing field for college applicants of
>>>> diverse backgrounds by decreasing access to a national indicator of
>>>> potential college success.
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