Problems in education have been an ongoing controversy since before I was born. From the ACT to SAT to ACTAAP to any other letters people feel like throwing together, testing happens, and with that testing, arguments. The Education segment of L.A. Times contains many controversial stories all pertaining to, of course, education.
In one post, there was a group of about four hundred students who all have to retake AP exams due to poor monitoring. The test proctors allowed the students to leave the classroom in groups, sit close, use cell phones, and even read text books during several of their exams. Because all of this was discovered by higher groups, the students’ scores are being called void. If these students want credit, they must retake the exam in a different location later in August. While I do agree that the tests should not be used, I can’t help but pity the few students who worked hard and didn’t cheat on their tests. As far as the school knows, only ten of the students admitted to cheating, so that could leave over three hundred students with perfectly applicable tests, but they are not being used. I know that is irrational to assume, but still, it is somewhat possible.
Other stories discussed increasing dropout rates, as well as new methods for tracking students that dropped out, so officials could uncover their reasons for doing so. Another topic was the fact that Asian students seem to be doing better on their standardized tests than Latino students, which caused some drama in Lincoln High School, not becasue of the students, but the teachers. The subjects of problems goes on and on for this education segment. L.A. Times does a very good job of expressing their views on education systems locally as well as around the world.
