New York Top Schools - Top marks largely go to Asians. Bill de Blasio wants to change the exams

[Anonymous]

What about offering a free or subsidized test prep service for income-qualified black and Latino students?

While I get the argument that Asian families of modest means make this a priority, the children of families who aren't that lucky should have a way to get the test prep as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://www.economist.com/news/united-states/21646217-top-marks-largely-go-asians-bill-de-blasio-wants-change-exams-asians-beware

What are your thoughts about this? I feel that this is a trend that one can see in the most exclusive and competitive schools and colleges - where Asians are becoming the majority because of higher academic performance.

The lowering of admissions criteria will help Whites rather than Hispanics and Blacks. Similar to what is happening in the Ivy League colleges.

I have to shake my head with these things. The premise is always that there is cultural bias. But if there's cultural bias, then shouldn't that be favoring whites? Obviously it isn't. Guess the results negate a big chunk of the cultural bias theory...

Actually the premise (if you read the article) is that children who get sent to tutors for test prep do better on the test. So the test prep tutors are effective, which they should feel proud of. But it does raise the question of what exactly the test is measuring.

Is there actual data on how many used tutors for test prep? Or is that just an assumption?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about offering a free or subsidized test prep service for income-qualified black and Latino students?

While I get the argument that Asian families of modest means make this a priority, the children of families who aren't that lucky should have a way to get the test prep as well.

In the article, it states that many of those Asian kids qualify for free meals. I don't agree with the whole test prep culture, but if parents are noticing that so many of the kids that get in are tutored/prep, and they want their kids to get in, then perhaps they need to think about their priorities in how they spend their money.

I'm sure there are hundreds of Asian kids that do prep/go to tutors that still don't get in. Plus, once you are in, you have to be able to keep up. I have no idea if these kids have year-round tutors, but in class, at least, they don't have tutors, so the kid is on his own, and needs to keep up.

If they admit lesser qualified students, then I assume the curriculum will have to be dumb down for them. I think this would hurt those kids that truly belong there, and overall, the program. Sad.

[Anonymous]

^ There's a lot more to it than just one-time test prep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about offering a free or subsidized test prep service for income-qualified black and Latino students?

While I get the argument that Asian families of modest means make this a priority, the children of families who aren't that lucky should have a way to get the test prep as well.

In the article, it states that many of those Asian kids qualify for free meals. I don't agree with the whole test prep culture, but if parents are noticing that so many of the kids that get in are tutored/prep, and they want their kids to get in, then perhaps they need to think about their priorities in how they spend their money.

I'm sure there are hundreds of Asian kids that do prep/go to tutors that still don't get in. Plus, once you are in, you have to be able to keep up. I have no idea if these kids have year-round tutors, but in class, at least, they don't have tutors, so the kid is on his own, and needs to keep up.

If they admit lesser qualified students, then I assume the curriculum will have to be dumb down for them. I think this would hurt those kids that truly belong there, and overall, the program. Sad.

If you dumb down the program, that will be the end of the program/school. A fully diverse school that's nothing special.

[Anonymous]

DeBlasio needs to put all at-risk kids in after school tutoring programs in which they study each night for four hours minimum.

He needs to hire surrogate parent coaches to nag the kids to get all As. He needs to penalize kids who play sports, video games, watch TV and have a social life.

Problem solved.

[Anonymous]

Yes 200 percent of mental midgets.

[Anonymous]

I think that any exam which promotes pure rote learning is going to benefit the most studious kids. But I am not sure that the ability to regurgitate information demonstrates the most ability.

I would prefer to see assessment that recognises creativity and original thinking too.

[Anonymous]

If Asian kids get in thanks to their extensive test prep, how come there are no AA/Latino kids in my DC's AP Calc BC class? All Asians/White kids. How do they prep for that?

[Anonymous]

Bill is just another clown in the liberal clown car. Unfortunately for New Yorker, he's driving, but driving the wrong way down a one way street.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about offering a free or subsidized test prep service for income-qualified black and Latino students?

While I get the argument that Asian families of modest means make this a priority, the children of families who aren't that lucky should have a way to get the test prep as well.

So hard work is now considered "luck". YOU ARE TERRIBLE

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, Asians are discriminated against in the academic arena, but in the workforce, they are still considered "minorities" and affirmative action should apply to them (as defined by the Fed. Gov't ). Crazy.

So, I should tell my Asian kids it's ok not to work so hard in school because no matter how hard you try, you will be discriminated against, and also, you can rely on AA when trying to get a job, at least with the gov't.

Asians are severely under represented in senior management positions in the private and public sector. This is why they are eligible for affirmative action in hiring and promotion practices.

Tell your kids to work hard and do their very best.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, Asians are discriminated against in the academic arena, but in the workforce, they are still considered "minorities" and affirmative action should apply to them (as defined by the Fed. Gov't ). Crazy.

So, I should tell my Asian kids it's ok not to work so hard in school because no matter how hard you try, you will be discriminated against, and also, you can rely on AA when trying to get a job, at least with the gov't.

Asians are severely under represented in senior management positions in the private and public sector. This is why they are eligible for affirmative action in hiring and promotion practices.

Tell your kids to work hard and do their very best.

So not true. What are you smoking?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about offering a free or subsidized test prep service for income-qualified black and Latino students?

While I get the argument that Asian families of modest means make this a priority, the children of families who aren't that lucky should have a way to get the test prep as well.

So hard work is now considered "luck". YOU ARE TERRIBLE

No, being born to a family that makes test prep a priority is considered "luck". Children don't choose their parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:sad day for america

But a great one for equality!