Whoa there Nelly! I have to challenge "Let's face it -- being able to complete a project
that demonstrates mastery of these skill is all very nice (my underline, bold and
italized), but not nearly as important as scoring well on the CTP, SAT, AP, etc." Why not
direct your students to schools (are there are top tier schools that do) that look for
students who can demonstrate those skills whether in formal and informal assessments. Are
you suggesting that Missions Statements, i.e. the parts that speak to lifelong learners
and preparing students for life are sham? Are you suggesting that it is not our job to
help parents understand the lack of correlation of SATs and the like to college
performance much less life performance? This sounds far too cynical to me.
David F. Withrow
Director of Technology
Harford Day School
Bel Air, Maryland 21014
voice: 410 879 2350 ex 33
fax: 410 836 5918
http://www.harfordday.org
The test of the morality of a society is what it does for its children.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is.
- Yogi Berra
>Renee,
>
>I completely agree with you. However, until college admissions offices
>reexamine what they consider important (as some are beginning to do) and
>given that it is a priority, stated or not, among many of our schools to
>graduate our students into top tier colleges and universities, the more
>standard assessment practices that have ruled the day will continue to hold
>sway. There are not a lot of formal assessments out there that measure a
>student's ability to research, problem solve, think critically, analyze,
>write clearly, and work cooperatively with others to complete a task and/or
>solve a problem -- all skills that most of us claim to be critical
>components of our educational program. Let's face it -- being able to
>complete a project that demonstrates mastery of these skills is all very
>nice, but not nearly as important as scoring well on the CTP, SAT, AP, etc.
>
>Best wishes,
>
>Stephen Edele
>Head Elect
>The Harbor School
>Vashon, WA
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