Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I thought that this was important: "GMU researchers examining 2012 job-application data for the school system found that black applicants had slightly lower pass rates on a screening test but somewhat more extensive academic credentials and work experience than their white counterparts. On paper, the researchers said, the black and white candidates seemed to have comparable qualifications."
The WaPo article and the study didn't seem to focus on the screening test, which may be intentionally or unintentionally biased, or may tend to disfavor black applicants, but not Asian or Hispanic applicants, for some other reason. It seemed significant to me.
This. People want to "raise teacher standards" (via test) but they also want "more diversity". You can't have both. AAs as a group tend to do about one full standard deviation worse than Euro-Americans as a group on any given standardized test. Want more AA teachers? Get rid of the test. Want the test? Don't expect more AA teachers.
Anonymous wrote:One thing I have not seen is this: Ebonics
That is the problem.
Anonymous wrote:I thought that this was important: "GMU researchers examining 2012 job-application data for the school system found that black applicants had slightly lower pass rates on a screening test but somewhat more extensive academic credentials and work experience than their white counterparts. On paper, the researchers said, the black and white candidates seemed to have comparable qualifications."
The WaPo article and the study didn't seem to focus on the screening test, which may be intentionally or unintentionally biased, or may tend to disfavor black applicants, but not Asian or Hispanic applicants, for some other reason. It seemed significant to me.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Just cause they have more degrees doesn't mean they are better.
What a dumb study
On it's face, I'd agree with you.
But when it comes to education, advanced degrees DO matter. They show specialized learning--unlike the undergraduate degree that's all over the place until your last 2-4 semesters of college.
In addition to the advanced degrees, there's that issue of those teachers having more experience.
Again, in the field of education (as in most fields), more degrees AND more experience matter a great deal. In any field that combination makes you a more appealing candidate.
Do we know what kind of advanced degree and schools? Is it a crap school like udc?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Just cause they have more degrees doesn't mean they are better.
What a dumb study
On it's face, I'd agree with you.
But when it comes to education, advanced degrees DO matter. They show specialized learning--unlike the undergraduate degree that's all over the place until your last 2-4 semesters of college.
In addition to the advanced degrees, there's that issue of those teachers having more experience.
Again, in the field of education (as in most fields), more degrees AND more experience matter a great deal. In any field that combination makes you a more appealing candidate.
Anonymous wrote:Just cause they have more degrees doesn't mean they are better.
What a dumb study
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I thought that this was important: "GMU researchers examining 2012 job-application data for the school system found that black applicants had slightly lower pass rates on a screening test but somewhat more extensive academic credentials and work experience than their white counterparts. On paper, the researchers said, the black and white candidates seemed to have comparable qualifications."
The WaPo article and the study didn't seem to focus on the screening test, which may be intentionally or unintentionally biased, or may tend to disfavor black applicants, but not Asian or Hispanic applicants, for some other reason. It seemed significant to me.
It seemed significant to me as well. And as an applicant who took the test, I can tell you that it in no way tests intelligence or knowledge (as the article may lead you to believe).
It's been awhile but from what I remember it's a series of questions along the line of "What is your opinion on...I dunno...meeting with teachers in a team?" A. It should be done often. B. It should be done everyday. C. It should be done as needed. D. Teachers should never meet.
How in the world black applicants can "score lower" on a test that is not testing any real knowledge or skill is beyond me. The test doesn't take into account that schools have different needs. So one FCPS school may have teachers meet once a week when another has them meet every day.
If the "test" they are referring to is the Gallop Interview that every applicant must go through, then I can tell you that it is completely bogus. The Gallop Interview is searching for how much education school rhetoric you can spout, how politically correct you are, and if you've bought into the "all students are perfect so anything that goes wrong is the teachers fault" way of thinking. If an experienced teacher applicant says something like "of course all students can learn, even if they're knuckleheads," they are given a bad rating on the Gallop because they used a disparaging term. An experienced teacher, as the article says many black applicants are, will be further removed from the ed school brain washing and more likely to be more candid about teaching.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I thought that this was important: "GMU researchers examining 2012 job-application data for the school system found that black applicants had slightly lower pass rates on a screening test but somewhat more extensive academic credentials and work experience than their white counterparts. On paper, the researchers said, the black and white candidates seemed to have comparable qualifications."
The WaPo article and the study didn't seem to focus on the screening test, which may be intentionally or unintentionally biased, or may tend to disfavor black applicants, but not Asian or Hispanic applicants, for some other reason. It seemed significant to me.
It seemed significant to me as well. And as an applicant who took the test, I can tell you that it in no way tests intelligence or knowledge (as the article may lead you to believe).
It's been awhile but from what I remember it's a series of questions along the line of "What is your opinion on...I dunno...meeting with teachers in a team?" A. It should be done often. B. It should be done everyday. C. It should be done as needed. D. Teachers should never meet.
How in the world black applicants can "score lower" on a test that is not testing any real knowledge or skill is beyond me. The test doesn't take into account that schools have different needs. So one FCPS school may have teachers meet once a week when another has them meet every day.
Anonymous wrote:I thought that this was important: "GMU researchers examining 2012 job-application data for the school system found that black applicants had slightly lower pass rates on a screening test but somewhat more extensive academic credentials and work experience than their white counterparts. On paper, the researchers said, the black and white candidates seemed to have comparable qualifications."
The WaPo article and the study didn't seem to focus on the screening test, which may be intentionally or unintentionally biased, or may tend to disfavor black applicants, but not Asian or Hispanic applicants, for some other reason. It seemed significant to me.