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148588 tn?1465778809

How High SAT Scores Are Linked to Family Income

"The College Board will announce sweeping changes to the SAT exam later today as well as new opportunities for students. While some question the overall value of the high-stakes exam, there is also mounting criticism as to whether students who can afford expensive SAT test preparation courses have an unfair advantage, especially given a strong correlation between family income level and test results."

http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/how-high-sat-scores-are-linked-family-income-n44496


How do we fix it, or is it broken?
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206807 tn?1331936184
I concede defeat. I can’t compete against a Dale Earhardt #3 Car Phone.
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Avatar universal
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206807 tn?1331936184
I eat my Corn Flakes using my Dale Earnhardt Cereal Bowl and I think Jr. should run for president.

SM-I have friends my age still talking about their High School Football Days like it was yesterday. I tell them."that's nothing, Al Bundy (Married with Children) scored 9 touchdowns in one game at Polk High."
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Avatar universal
(lol), can't disagree with you there sm.
(Barb, I hope a little Sunday evening humor doesn't violate the thread header rules)
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973741 tn?1342342773
Hey, nothing red neck about a microwaved bacon bowl.  That's just good eats.  
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Avatar universal
Hmm, ones favorite box of wine, paired with collard greens served up in one of those new fangled bacon bowls advertised on tv...high live'in.
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Avatar universal
There's nothing wrong with mustard greens either.

Sm.... if a guy shows you his high school wrestling singlets, its time to run.  
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973741 tn?1342342773
I had a boyfriend who called his skoal "cha" with the a sound drawn out really long.  I think that was the red neck way of saying "chew"  but because he was cute, was trying to overlook things like this.  But then . . .he showed me  all his singlets from when he wrestled in high school hanging up in a row in his closet (he was 30) that I realized one should not overlook things.  
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206807 tn?1331936184
Collard Greens Basics

Move over, kale; the collard greens are coming. Collards are a staple in many Southern dishes and add healthy nutrients to any meal. Traditionally, collards are paired with ham hocks and other pork for flavor and richness, but we have plenty of delicious vegetarian options.

https://www.yahoo.com/food/martha-stewart-hot-under-the-collards-7-new-ways-to-77808919516.html
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Avatar universal
"a day when we can fly our Confederate Flags " Good luck with that, didn't work out to well for Maurice Bessinger.
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206807 tn?1331936184
“I thought Skoal was more of a choice for the 1%ers. What ever happened to Redman or Levi Garret?”

Yes, a lot people think that Skoal and "Corked Wine" is to good for us.
This is the typical Stereotyping we face daily. If someone references Watermelon or Chicken when talking about African Americans (or whatever the latest P.C. term is used today) they would be referred to as being demonized. But there is New Day acumen when we will be judged by our Character and not by The Color of our Necks. I see a day when The ACLU will join us in our fight to be free of this discrimination, a day when we can fly our Confederate Flags proud because it is a symbol of out Heritage not Racism, and our own Redneck History Month. A month of 24/7 NASCAR, History of Moonshine Documentaries, Documentaries on The Invention of Wine in Box, and Duck Dynasty.
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Avatar universal
I thought Skoal was more of a choice for the 1%ers. What ever happened to Redman or Levi Garret? At least most new vehicles now come with a spit cup holder.
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206807 tn?1331936184
  Now Mike, we all know no one can choose not to be a Redneck. That’s just they way we are born. You need to accept and embrace it.
P.S.- Piggly Wiggly has Skoal on sale this week.
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148588 tn?1465778809
Does the New SAT Spell Doom for the Test Prep Industry?

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/education/does-new-sat-spell-doom-test-prep-industry-n45936


"When College Board President and CEO David Coleman announced major changes to the design of the SAT on Wednesday in Austin, Texas, one particular initiative made waves: the new partnership between the College Board and the non-profit, online-based Khan Academy to “provide the world with free test-preparation materials.”

Explaining the need for such a venture, Coleman took aim at the multi-billion dollar private test prep industry, saying it “drives the perception of inequality and injustice in our country.” He charged the companies with “intimidat[ing] parents at all levels of income” into paying exorbitant fees for coaching and tutoring.

Companies like Kaplan and Princeton Review, as well as smaller boutique test prep businesses, can charge more than $1,000 per course. Private tutors often charge more than $15,000 a year. According to the College Board, the industry is largely built on teaching kids “tricks” and gimmicks to outsmart the test, as well as other skills and facts that even Coleman now admits have been disconnected from what kids learn in school.............."
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Avatar universal
Trust me on that one - I will never quote you.
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1310633 tn?1430224091
SAT prep courses don't dramatically improve test scores.

I took one, when I was a junior in high school, and my SAT score went up by 150 points, if I remember correctly.

Went from an 1140 to right around 1300 (if memory serves). It was a long time ago now, so don't quote me, but it was something close to that.

I just found this article(*), stating the same thing... those expensive prep courses don't largely improve scores.

(*) http://www.nbcnews.com/id/37197700/ns/us_news-life/t/college-board-sat-courses-have-little-effect/#.UxjEp_ldWCk
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206807 tn?1331936184
Wow, Maybe "Rebuke" was a little to strong of a Word to use.
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Avatar universal
That was really funny......probably because I didn't know you did that intentionally. I was trying to figure out how a spellchecker could do that - really.
It's crystal clear that you've thought a lot about this issue.
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973741 tn?1342342773
It was on purpose from the Redneck list.  It was a small attempt to be as funny as the rest of you!!  

Thanks for allowing me to go on my tangent and seeing value in it!  A subject that I have thought a great deal about.  
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Avatar universal
Are you intentionally writing "enema" for "enemy" or is it a slip or a spellchecker at play here?
Regardless it does add a bit of humor to your otherwise serious and well reasoned and well written post.

Thanks for that,
Mike
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973741 tn?1342342773
I'm trying to think of something funny to add but am empty at the moment.  I enjoyed the list very much and just want to say that I hope I haven't made too many enemas here on the forum.

Lots of things are happening to education in this country and I'm watching with great interest.  I think it is worth allowing all to have tutoring as part of their education for taking the SAT's and ACT's,  I'd make it after school or before school or during study hall and I'd make it free as it would be worth the expenditure for every kid to have the best chance.  I have always wondered about those study sessions because I always thought these tests were to capture your knowledge base and cramming for it defeats that purpose but do think having some familiarity of test format, working under the time constraints, etc. is something that would be very valuable to have prior to taking it.  And that should be available to everyone.

I'm watching also what happens with the core curriculum initiative.  I'm expecting news headlines soon regarding this as I think it will definitely become even more controversial than it already is.  States are not allowing kids to pass through grades unless their MAP testing puts them in a certain range.  This starts in second and third grade and if kids aren't reading at a certain level, they can not go to the next grade level.  As it is brand new in my state, my district is modifying it so that kids will go to the next grade if it is just one area they have difficulty with (as in, they are grade level for math but not for reading) but have to do language arts/reading with the lower grade.  I have a good friend whose child has had every advantage in the world but he has reading comprehension problems.  He will be repeating third grade language arts next year most likely if his test scores are at the level they have been in Fall and Winter.  They are very upset but this is something that their son needs help with.  It will impact him throughout the rest of his school career if he does not overcome his reading comprehension challenges .  

these tests are also one of the tools used to identify kids that need advanced curriculum.  

So, the core curriculum makes it clear which students are advanced, at grade level, and falling behind early on and forces action by schools.  

While it can be a good thing, there will be many that have a problem with this identification.  Some feel preschool is mandatory and underprivileged kids who don't have access are going to be behind.  I don't personally believe in academics being part of preschool other than basic FUN activities--  I believe preschool is for socialization. But I also had a home rich in activities and learning opportunities in an informal way for my kids.  I realize that does help my kids overall.  And I have no problem with making preschool available to ALL--------  as long as they don't make it mandatory!!  (I don't think parents should be forced to send kids to a preschool if they would rather have their kiddos at home with them like I did---  my kids just went a couple days a week to half day preschool).  Anyway, I'm all in favor of funding for public preschool as an option for all children in the country.  

I personally do love that teachers incentives/pay/ratings will be tied to how well students do as well although teachers hate that.  Being held accountable verses tenure . . .  

Anyway, I'm sure I may have made a new enema with this long off topic post.  But I really find the topic of education interesting.  And got carried away.  
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Avatar universal
I like rednecks myself. I used to be one.
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Avatar universal
Everyone hates a redneck until something breaks down.
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Avatar universal
Another advantage of being a redneck is that no one expects anything intelligent from you and, in that very limited respect, you never disappoint
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