did you know...
in 2005, there will be 3 sections of the SAT to total 2400 points. Reading comprehension / Vocab (but no analogies), Math, & Essay. Each section will be worth the 800 points. That's such a big change after years and years of the same test - it's in response to the movement for individualized, authentic assessment. I think it's cool but am afraid that underpriviledged kids will only fall farther and farther behind. Writing coherent essays (for a standardized test) is often a learned skill - something that has to be taught to you. And unfortunately, so many of our inner city kids get the worst education - teachers who don't teach what they're supposed to and even worse, teachers who quit mid-year and therefore bring on a string of substitutes who don't know what they're suppposed to teach. no wonder so many of my kids can barely read!

it'd be nice, though, if this new section gives strength /better numbers to those kids who just stink at standardized tests even though they work hard. it'd be nice, too, if it wasn't just the middle-class and rich that could afford test preps for these tests.