Re: Justification for the SAT

[Stephen McGinnis <Nanodev@AOL.COM>]

In a message dated 9/1/01 5:27:23 PM Eastern Daylight Time, dmr@PSU.EDU
writes:

> most folks think that the collective opinion of many many MANY teachers ...
>  across many years of observing students in school ... is better than scores
>  on ONE test ... of say .. 2 hours duration ...
>
>  you just have to hope that on the day you take the SAT ... you are NOT
>  feeling under the weather ...

One problem is that in many cases (especially in rural school districts)
there are not many, many teachers.  In these school districts it is not
unusual to have one teacher handling college-prep science for example.  In
addition, for college admission  we are only talking about three (or four)
years of high school (at best) being considered.  In the case of admission to
many elite schools, the grade in one class can mean the difference between a
positive or negative admission decision.  Therefore, the theory that grades
are more accurate due to the collective opinion of many teachers begins to
break down.  At least with the SAT, if you are feeling under the weather you
might have another chance to take the test.  With grades, if you have a
personality conflict with a teacher, you are probably sunk.  Whatever you
might say about standardized tests, the possibility of overt bias is
relatively low.

Sincerely,

Steve McGinnis

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