The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current, January 17, 1980, Image 5

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THE BATTALION
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1980
Page 5
ATTENTION
ids may get help on tests from union
lar
UR
United Press International
This is the year kids taking
Itaiularclized tests by-guess or by-
losh get sympathy in a big way —
Jncl maybe some help.
For starters, the 1.8 million
Member teachers’ union, the Na-
lionaj Education Association, will
viug the bat in a year-long cam-
haiga against what it considers
Ibuses of standardized tests.
The batting order also includes
Ither education and consumer
Iroups urging Congress to pass a
|ruth-in-testing law aimed at curli
ng abuses and giving consumers
nore information about the tests be-
bre they take them — and after.
Ralph Nader, who has been on
Biis issue for years now, is still cry-
|ng alarm. He said at a recent con-
erence the College Board’s own re-
«arch indicates a direct relationship
etween standardized test scores
kncl family income. That is, the
|iigher your parents income, the
ligher your score.
Nader referred to research which
Indicates private coaching improves
ores on the Scholastic Aptitude
[Test (SAT), used as a door-opener to
olleges and scholarships.
Consumer advocates and
|educators claim this gives students
vhocan pay for cram courses an ad
vantage over those who cannot. This
sdvantage is used by many prepar-
ng for tests for admission to law,
business and medical schools, too.
Attacks on what they consider
ner-reliance on standardized tests
ire under way by teachers and civil
lights groups from Maine to
California. At the same time, how
ever, more tests seem set for
launch. Nearly 40 states have man
ned minimum competency testing
programs for promotion and gradua-
m.
The rub: how can competence lie
Ineasured — without standardized
;ests?
Standardized tests most ofteii are
multi pie-choice types. The system,
or some students, is by-guess or
y-gosh. Scoring usually is by a
machine that “reads’ underlining,
Trcles, or X marks on an answer
iheet.
Nader said teachers are upset at
the downgrading of writing in soci
al and by reliance on multiple-
:hoice tests.
The standardized tests decide
»ho is placed in classes for the men
tally retarded, who gets into col
lege, who can become a teacher or a
lawyer and who gets the schol
arship.
The testing industry, feeling the
heat, isn’t happy alxiut losing out to
consumer groups after it already
battled truth-in-testing legislative
proposals in New York and Califor-
a.
The multi-million dollar industry,
led by giant Education Testing serv
ice (ETS) in Princeton, N.J., prom-
earlier to give more test-takers
backgrounding before they sit for
tests.
Also voted by the testing industry
was a way to file for further informa
tion after a test is taken, a consumer
right mandated by law in California
and New York — and bound to be
included in any federal truth-in
testing law.
Every six years since 1947, the
ETS’ income has doubled. At latest
count, the non-profit unit took in
$94 million a year, mostly fees from
test takers.
The “NEA Reporter,’ updating
school teacher members on the
status of the controversy and its bat
tle plans, states teachers want more
accountability from the testing in
dustry, and less secrecy.
By the end of this month, says the
“NEA Reporter,” every NEA local
association president will receive an
information kit promoting truth-in
testing legislation and community
awareness of standardized test
abuses.
“NEA strongly supports testing
and rigorous assessment of student
performance, ’ the NEA Reporter
said.
“However, NEA rejects tests that
emphasize competition against a
norm rather than educational
goals."
MSC
Town Hall
Option
Pass holders!
Priority period to
purchase tickets for
DEATHTRAP
Mon. Jan. 14 — Thurs. Jan. 17
Tickets not purchased at
this time will be released for sale
to the general public.
Barcelona
Your place in the sun,
Spacious Apartments
with New Carpeting
Security guard, well lighted parking areas, close to cam
pus and shopping areas, on the shuttle bus route.
700 Dominik, College Station
693-0261
Texas Ave.
BARCELONA
Whataburger
A&M Golf Course
DIETING?
'ven though we do not prescribe diets, we make\
\it possible for many to enjoy a nutritious meal\
\while they follow their doctor s orders. You will\
\be delighted with the wide selection of low\
\calorie, sugar free and fat free foods in the\
\Souper Salad Area, Sbisa Dining Center Base-
\ment.
OPEN
Monday through Friday 10:45 AM-1:45 PM
QUALITY FIRST
YOU CAN PLAY
using "E-Z Play" music
from Keyboard Center
with all chords plainly
identified. Come by for a
demonstration today.
Guitars by
YAIRI
ALVAREZ
YAMAHA
VENTURA
and others.
KcyboARd
Center
MANOR EAST MALL
Layaway
BRYAN, TEXAS
Owners - Randy and Lori Stuart
Open Mon. thru Sat. til 6 p.m.
• In January, 1979, GOLD sold for *230°° an
ounce. Today it sells for $ 710 00 .
• In January, 1979, D-Flawless one carat
DIAMONDS sold for $ 20,000 00 . Today
they're *45,000°°.
• In January, 1979, SILVER sold for $ 6°° an
ounce. Today it's *47 00 .
WHERE WERE
YOUR
INVESTMENT
DOLLARS?
and where will they be Next Year?
diamond brokers international, int.
Precious Stone Importers & Wholesalers
209 E. University Dr., College Station, Texas 77840.
713-693-1647
Inflation is approximately 15%. If your investments are earning 10% you are
losing 5% a year and paying more tax on top of that!!
JANUARY CLEARANCE SALE
Special Group of
Ski Apparel
20 % OFF
Jackets, gloves, bibs, caps, goggles,
ski skins and thermal underwear.
Letter Jacket Style
(Windbreaker)
20%
OFF
Close Out On
Special Group of Shoes
$5oo_$25oo
Values from $1 0.95 to $40.95
Shorts
Shirts
T-Shirts
Jerseys
Values Up To
$ 1 99 -*6 95
Down Jackets
& Vests
20%
OFF
Warm-Ups
20%
OFF
Children NFL
Warm-Ups 20% OFF
Nike LDV
39.95
34.95
Nike Waffle Trainer
29.95
21.95
Brooks Villanova
21.95
14.95
Adidas Dragon
24.95
20.95
AdidaS TRX (Mens & womens)
32.95
24.95
Many Unadvertised Specials
Not Alt Sizes In All Styles
Entire Stock not included
WYATT’S SPORTING GOODS
505 University Dr.
846-6715
Culpepper Plaza
693-2949