Re: Normal people

Ken Goodman (kgoodman who-is-at u.arizona.edu)
Thu, 24 Dec 1998 12:41:52 -0700

There are some strange aberrations of bell-shaped curves, but none so
curious as the increasingly common view- written into law in Texas and
other states that All children must be above average (when in fact by
definition only half can. Texas a few years ago abolished D grades. That
means kids are failing if that get below 70% (all grading is a percent
score.Essentially, since 70 is supposed to be average, that means all
students who are below average have failed. That of course produces not
a curve but a cliff.

Currently, Texas is admitting a problem with large numbers of over age
kids marooned in 9th grade unable to earn enough credits to get to tenth
grade. The solution of the Texas Business Council, which is wielding
great power in educational decision making through Geo. W. Bush is
solving the problem. The solution - more tests. I kid you not.
By the way by definition all pupils not normal are sub-normal.
Ken

-- 
Kenneth S. Goodman, Professor, Language, Reading & Culture
504 College of Education, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ     
         fax 520 7456895                      phone 520 6217868


These are mean times- and in the mean time 
We need to Learn to Live Under Water