This
week's
topic:		 President Clinton has proposed national voluntary reading and math tests for 4th and 8th graders to provide parents and teachers information about how students are progressing compared to other states, the nation and countries. The Congressional Black Caucus opposes these tests on grounds that the results may be misused against poor and minority children.

Tests, however, have been shown to be an effective tool to improve education. Is the Congressional Black Caucus being overly protective?



Name: Thomas Williams
Email: terrador@bsr.com
Response: America is not based on mediocrity & conformity. Capitalism survives beacuse of our pursuit to better ourselves and our country. Reality is difficult to accept for many people and life is not fair and it never will be fair. People are not equal, some are born with a 1,000 'do overs' some are born with no 'do overs'. It is the one who rises above his or her so called social boundaries to greatness that keeps this country on top, and there are millions that have done so. Nothing comes easy and if it does it is not as gratifying. Test's and grades are a measure of ones committment and resolve. IQ test are based on ones ability to learn. So don't shy away from these test they are not biased Math is a static and portable. The concepts are all the same the presentaion is different. Reading is based on the English Language. Step up and be counted!


Name: Jed Ashton
Email: Jed Ashton@Aol.com
Response: The question of how the test results will be used is irrelevant, what we need to be questioning is what type of "intelligence" they are testing for, and if that type of intelligence is something that we believe is valid.


Name: Serious in Chicago
Email:
Response: Okay. Yes, maybe they should be somewhat cautious. However, I have another spin on this. Maybe the Caucus does not want the attention turned to them. Let me explain. We know that the test scores will come back low from these schools in poor neighborhoods. This is a direct result of being on the bottom of the socio-economic scale. I believe that the broadcasting of these low scores will not be a newsflash. This data is already available through state and regional testing facilties and from the schools' confidential I.Q. scores. I think that if the scores are brought to the forefront, some critics (black and white) may ask what the heck is the Caucus and the NAACP doing/have been doing to improve the situation. I for one have never been a fan of the NAACP and am a reluctant fan of the Caucus (meaning I'm for them but quite cautious- with the exception of Rep. Waters). All of this talk - quite frankly - gets on my nerves. While everyone of these "financially well-off leaders" are talking, our schools and children are going down the drain. I hope that these scores are published to encourage and ensure feedback discussion.


Name: Cheryl Hazelwood
Email: woodhazel@aol.com
Response: No, the Black Congressional Congress is not being overprotective. They are right to be leary. The voluntary tests should be administered after school, and the results should be given directly to parents first. The parents should be offered training sessions to attend before the tests are given, that educate the parents about preparing the child and interpreting the results. After the tests, they should then be given the opportunity to sit with a teacher (maybe their child's teacher, maybe another) and interpret the results. The tests should not be entered into the child's record without the parents permission.


Name: smitty
Email:
Response: i feel that the cbc is being over protective. our children need testing as a gauge for where they are in comparison to other children. i hope that along with the testing, tutorial programs will also be made available.


Name: Joyce Jones-Garrett
Email: JosJoy@aol.com
Response: Yes, I feel that the Cong. Black Caucus is being overprotective. Our children need to make use of every opportunity available in order to be on a level to compete in the real world. As an child, I was encouraged to not only be good at what I did but to be the best if possible because when you enter the work field, good or mediocre doesn't fit the bill. Although wrong, being Black and female puts me at a disadvantage before I even walk in the door. So therefore, being good is not good enough, I must be the best. If our children are tested and as suggested, their weaknesses can be eradicated or at the least worked upon efficiently if they are known early in life. You can't wait until they reach the age where they should be productive citizens to make the change. Make sure the foundation is strong and the possibilities of their buildings are unlimited.


Name: april crump
Email: april_crump@nt.com
Response: I believe that these tests should be allowed. In the event that the results are poor, which is what the caucus and all of us are primarly concerned with, maybe our goverment will finally acknowledege that our community is lacking not in brain power, but in help. The teacher's in our communities don't need ebonics to help them teach better, they need supplies. Better buildings in which to teach, and a better understanding of the students they are trying to teach. If you have a student who's mother is a prostitue and is neglectful the last thing on that child's mind is math or science. He is focused on his next meal and whether or not he will need to feed other siblings at home. I also believe that these teachers deserve to have more pay as an incentive. Our focus should not be on whether our community will be embarrased by the results of this test, but with the minds and futures of the children taking them. It is time for our goverment to take focus off of us as the problem, but to look at themselves for what they are doing. They know that there should be more funding in our communities so that our children can have the same amenities as children in suburban schools. Also, I understand that teachers are not there to raise our children, but this unfortunately has become one of the job requirements for them. These new breed of teachers need to be more educated about the mentality of their students. It is not just about teaching anymore. We must inspire these kids, just speaking their language is not enough. They have to be taught that winning the lotto or becomming an NBA star are not the only methods of rising out of their current situation, and in fact are very unrealistic methods. Education does not always mean money, but it does mean power. No matter what the tests results, one race is going to be exalted above the other. Someone is still going to try and prove that blacks are better at sports and whites at academics. It is up to us to teach and inspire them that these negitive and very ignorant theories are not true. We must have the testing so that we can at least move on and take a stand from there. This should be looked at as a positive and placed into the face of our goverment and let them see what has been allowed to happen.


Name: Solomon Landers
Email: Numberup@worldnet.att.net
Response: I may be wrong, but I think there are already similar tests of this nature given to students in Maryland schools, as an aid to developing educational programs for student progress. It all depends on how such tests are used. They can be a valuable tool to give students what they need. I fail to see how they could be used against poor or any other students. It is a fact that many minority students approach college with deficiencies in reading and math. Perhaps if their problems are treated at an earler educational level, they would be better prepared for college. Is there a cause for concern? I don't any, but I also admit that I do not have all the facts. It would be good for the NAACP or similar organization to monitor such programs.


Name: Frances L. Murphy
Email: FrankieLou@aol.com
Response: Tests are a tool for learning. Teachers teach and then test to determine how well students grasped what the teacher taught. The problem with having one test for all students is that all children are not taught by the same teacher or with the same tools. Some children have computers, some don't; some have up-to-date textbooks; some don't, etc. You must standardize the instruction before you standardize the tests. Only then will tests be fair.


Name: Itchibon
Email: Itchibon@webtv.net
Response: These tests will be available to the public, so, anyone can get the results and use this information any way they want. It haas been done before, and it will be done again as soon as the racists become aware of this information. The congressional black caucus is not overly protective. It is "right-on." I have seen the unscrupulous white racists on talk shows exposing this exact information. They were having a wonderful time revealing who had the lowest scores. They made a spectacle of themselves, and ridiculed the people they were talking about. And you know who they were. If the tests would be used only for improving, and not a handy tool for white-racists. I say fine. The congressional black caucus should impress upon the president to safeguard against small minds who use this information to ridicule other people! The president, other states, the nation, and other countries know that white will top the list, in this country. What is the real reason the president proposed this voluntary testing? It has been reported that the United States is behind third world education. Can you believe that? If the president finds that America is still failing in education, will he then put money in places to improve the country's teaching system? "I don't think so." The president, if he is truly concerned about America's standing in world education, then he must take a firm hand in affirmative action. How will America improve itself if he lets the selfishness of those, who only care about themselves, destroy the opportunity for others to receive an education. Don't let the crybabies destroy affirmative action! Could this be a political move on behalf of the president?????


Name: STEPHANIE ALFORD
Email: SSANDER@VM.SC.EDU
Response: I feel that the Congressional Black Caucus definitely has a basis for concern, being that historically testing in the United State has been a discriminatory measure. On the other hand I feel that testing can also be used in positive ways, not only as a comparative measure, but as a means for improving the level and quality of education, particulary among our minority youth. I feel that as long as strict guidelines are set in place to measure and monitor the use of the data, it can definitely have positive outcomes. The question at hand is who (what government agency) can reliably ensure these guidlines? Perhaps the NAACP or other nationally accredited minority organizations.