Just like "one size fits all" garments rarely fit well, "one size fits all" educational mandates seldom take into account the wide range of abilities that characterize students.
Mark
-----Original Message-----
From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu on behalf of Paul Lulai
Sent: Sun 7/13/2008 10:45 AM
To: Forum for Physics Educators
Subject: Re: [Phys-l] Ca mandates 8th-grade algebra test
My third choice: spelling
"Non-Euclidian Geometry "
From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu on behalf of Paul Lulai
Sent: Sun 7/13/2008 11:34 AM
To: Forum for Physics Educators
Subject: Re: [Phys-l] Ca mandates 8th-grade algebra test
I don't understand why the state doesn't mandate a screening process to properly place students. Then hopefully the coursework could be used to pull students from concrete operational to formal operational. I know this still leaves room for a bad screening mechanism and does not have the currently favored 'high stakes test' directly attached, but it seems more appropriate to a larger number of students.
My second choice - Non-Euclidian Geometry for all 8th graders. Why not think outside the 4 straight lined congruently right angled box? I mean if we are really gonna push them...