Re: Justification for the SAT

[dennis roberts <dmr@PSU.EDU>]

At 09:41 PM 9/1/01 -0400, Stephen McGinnis wrote:
> 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.

unfortunately ... in small rural districts ... with small schools ... kids
don't do that well on SAT either ...

usually ... small districts don't have nearly as many resources for
students ... good labs ... good libraries ... etc. etc. ....

so, i think that the notion that the SAT will (could) save them ... doesn't
wash


==============================================================
dennis roberts, penn state university
educational psychology, 8148632401
http://roberts.ed.psu.edu/users/droberts/drober~1.htm

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