Sometimes my neck gets sore from shaking my head when I read things like this.

Prospective teachers in New York will likely no longer have to pass a basic reading and writing literacy exam, the Associated Press is reporting.

The state’s Board of Regents is expected to ditch the Academic Literacy Skills Test in part because black and Hispanic teaching candidates struggled to pass the exam, according to the AP.

Just 41 percent of black teaching candidates and 46 percent of Hispanics passed the test on their first try, compared to 64 percent of white candidates.

The multiple choice exam is meant to ensure high standards among prospective teachers, which many teaching preparation programs have struggled to do.

A December 2016 study by the National Council on Teacher Quality found that 44 percent of teaching programs “cannot ensure that most of their incoming candidates are among the top half of college students.”

A state task force recommended the board scrap the exam because of the number of black and hispanic candidates struggling to pass it. The board is expected to adopt the recommendations on Monday.

“We want high standards, without a doubt. Not every given test is going to get us there,” Pace University professor Leslie Soodak told the AP.

Soodak was a member of the task force that advocated abandoning literacy tests for teachers.

“Having a white workforce really doesn’t match our student body anymore,” Soodak added.

Opponents to the exam unsuccessfully attempted to have it struck down in court in 2015, arguing that it was discriminatory because racial minorities performed worse on the test than white candidates. A federal judge declined to strike it down, however.


http://dailycaller.com/2017/03...e-name-of-diversity/

I don't know if this is still the case, but if you were a teacher in NYC, you had to get your Masters degree within 5 years of becoming a teacher.

Just want to clarify. Teachers. Those who are supposed to have the skills necessary to impart knowledge upon our children. Those who have graduated from high school and college with some sort of degree.

In NYC, at best, 36% fail a basic reading and writing literacy exam. Am I reading that right?

Almost 4 out of 10 of those in NYC with college degrees who are applying as teachers can't pass a basic reading and writing literacy exam?

I do believe I have discovered a problem.

quote:

Originally posted by rtquig:
I don't know if this is still the case, but if you were a teacher in NYC, you had to get your Masters degree within 5 years of becoming a teacher.

I believe that is still true.

What's scary is that these folks are supposed to have a at least a bachelors to get hired.

quote:

Originally posted by a1abdj:
In NYC, at best, 36% fail a basic reading and writing literacy exam. Am I reading that right?

Yeah, but the test is racist so you're imposing your white ethnocentric definition of "fail."

Keep the population stupid, keep them dependent. Its in the Dems playbook.

So I just messengered a friend of mine in NY who is a teacher. She said the test was not that hard and she passed on the first go. She was actually rather pissed that they are talking about eliminating the test and especially pissed that would be teachers could not pass it.

Apparently, the Board of Regents members are even dumber than the applicants.

Like others here I have been a teacher in the past. Spent a year at a flagship black university. The lack of education on the part of the students was frightening.

Also did a school year teaching night courses at a local college.

Comparing the difference between the day students at that flagship university and the night school students here in Manassas, I can say the following:

Night school students were head and shoulders above the "university" students. They worked harder and I had to work harder to get them where we all wanted them to be.

The students at that black school were not stupid, they were not incompetent. They were sadly unmotivated, and poorly prepared for college level courses.

When my company called me back from that year assignment there were a lot of tears, and I was asked at least 20 times, "Who is going to care about us when you leave?"

I held 5 graded exercises there. Had 180 total students and I graded every assignment by hand as they were all essay type questions, or performance tests on computer skills.

And now NY wants to scrap a literacy test for teachers?!?!?!?!?

All I can say is, God help the students in that shit heap!"

So they just give up on getting literate and competent teachers and turn out even more uneducated students.

Since they are so concerned about literacy and diversity, maybe they can figure out that sending even more uneducated "diversity" students into the market place is not going to do anyone any good.

I will sign off now, as my blood pressure is spiking.

At least now I understand why so many people are stupid.

quote:

Originally posted by olfuzzy:
“Having a white workforce really doesn’t match our student body anymore,” Soodak added.

But having an completely illiterate black workforce will most certainly match the student body. Well done, moron.

My wife is a retired language arts teacher. Her kindest reaction to that news was a derisive snort.

So teachers who are illiterate are going to teach illiterate students how to be literate?

quote:

A December 2016 study by the National Council on Teacher Quality found that 44 percent of teaching programs “cannot ensure that most of their incoming candidates are among the top half of college students.”

Yeah, no shit. By definition, everybody can't be above average.

This man says it better than I can.
Ethical Behavior

Remember the movie "Idocracy"?

It's becoming more and more apparent that it was a wry documentary and not a comedy.

I...

Wait...

Um...

Yeah.

I also just asked an NYC teacher and she said the test is pointless. They take 2 classes in the program that cover the material from the ASLT. If you fail the test but pass the courses you just submit your grades then move on. You don't fail out of the program. She also said there are 4 tests total and the ASLT is the easiest and must redundant. People who fail the ASLT remain in the program anyway then get weeded out by failing the CST. She said it's just $300 that's wasted because if you pass the ASLT test you still have to take the courses that are required and pass you anyway. Just another way for Pearson testing to make money.

quote:

Originally posted by apf383:
Keep the population stupid, keep them dependent. Its in the Dems playbook.

Since the 2006 election cycle, I have seen the insidious truth of that statement demonstrated in a myriad of ways. Public education, perhaps being the most egregious example.

quote:

Originally posted by LS1 GTO:
So teachers who are illiterate are going to teach illiterate students how to be literate?

As Bobbie Burns was wont to say: "Ay hae me doots!"

flashguy