Understanding the changes in the SAT, and what is driving it

My view if you understand why something is happening, such as the changes to the SAT, it's easier to figure out the how and what. My 2 cents on why the changes are happening to the SAT. The major one being the ACT was taking away market share.

1. The essay scores were a joke, and gave points more for length than the ability to write.
2. The ACT was taking market share away from the SAT, with more students taking the ACT in 2012 than the SAT.
3. Common Core Standards are now in the new SAT. The theory being the SAT will now be closer aligned to school curriculums. Common Core has been adopted by 45 states.
4. SAT's will no longer deduct points for wrong answers, so now you can guess!
5. The score is now going back to a maximum of 1600, from 2400.
6. The changes will not happen to 2016.
7. Many schools (over 800) have made submitting test scores optional, and there is just a .6% difference in graduation rate.
8. Only 8% of low income students get a bachelors by age 24.
9. The new test is supposed to make it harder for preparation classes to make a huge difference.

References:
College Board Shakes Up SAT - The Wall Street Journal
Education Standards Experts Blast SAT Changes - Breitbart News
Major changes coming to 2016 SAT test: Here's what, how and why - CNN
New SAT part of a changing admissions process - USA Today

Labels: academics, college, college admissions, SAT

There is an old Doonesbury Cartoon when Kim was in High School. Kim is an orphan from Vietnam, and adopted by two Jewish parents. This other student is asking her why do Asian's do so well. Her first answer is lots of studying and do the homework. The other kid does not accept this. Then Kim answers she's secretly an Alien and the kid accepts that answer.

My 2 cents on why many Chinese Students do so well in the US:


1. High expectations in school work
2. Working with the kids on Home Work. Every night my wife works with my daughter on her Algebra 2 work.
3. Setting a career path at an early age (you will be a DR., you will be a Lawyer, etc.). Per a Harvard Business School study graduates that had written goals/plan made a lot more than those who did not.
4. Pressure to perform. B's are not acceptable.
5. Putting a premium on education. Examples of this is the huge amount of tutoring that Chinese parents will send their kids to. From reading at a young age to SAT preparation. There are so many of these after school tutoring where i live.
6. High expectations of going to a great college. Chinese American Education Expectations
7. Community expectations (my son is a law student at UCLA).
8. The amazing amounts that parents will spend on their kids education (My daughter now has a Grand Piano, that's a great example of this). My daughter is also going to Piano, Cello, and Voice lessons. Another example is how the best school districts in Southern California have huge Chinese populations. Why, because they are willing to pay the money for houses in good districts. Examples are San Marino, Arcadia, Walnut, and Diamond Bar. My daughter goes to school in Diamond Bar.
9. Proof of this working - high acceptance rates at University of California Berkeley for example. Chinese Asian Representation in Colleges
10. Focus on academics verses sports for status.

I have seen an article that lays out some of these ideas, but I can't find it right now.

Another example is one of my daughter's friends. Only spoke Chinese at home. Now in 9th grade is one of the top students in English.

An article on my site that summarizes the above with more information: Chinese Students - What can be Learned from them for Getting Good Grades? in my new section: School Tips & Education Articles

References:

• The Learning Experience Of Chinese Students in America - long article that is more about social issues and does not get into academics.
  

• Motivation Matters: Comparing American, Chinese, and Indian Students - Video of comparing following 2 students each from US, China, and India who are at the top of their class.
  

• The interplay between social and cultural determinants of school .,. - Useful
  

  Chinese Parents' Influence on Academic Performance - Useful
  

Labels: academics

NY Times article about Online Schools. I have done two masters, and one of them mostly online and the other I physically went to classes. Online has it's place, and with home schooling I can understand how an online class would be a great resource. From reading the article, the online classes require a lot of parental supervision, but are supplying the material over the Internet. My guess is basically by requiring the help of parents, this is similar to one on one tutoring. The ability to go at your own speed is a great incentive, since in a regular class you pretty much have to go at the average of the class. With some students who can go much faster, and others that need additional help.

Online classes if designed right can be a great resource for the right student. I also have this view of home schooling that for the right student it can be great. I am amazed by parents who home school their kids. By having everything online I imagine that it's easier to track Grades and Progress of students. The ability to interact with other students in person is something that is missed from the online experience. My daughter, High School Freshman, would probably comment what a great idea! A point of the article is the cost of an online class is lower than a regular class. School funding is a challenging issue. The Study Skills needed for online classes would be the same as a regular class, but without the teacher to motivate students. I would guess more motivation is needed by the student to keep up.

Labels: academics, online classes