Barriers to Education
Barriers to Education
What is fair and unfair collage admittance?
“Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death.” – Albert Einstein
“Education is a better guarantee of liberty than a standing army.” – Edward Everett
MIT Reinstates SAT for Fall 2023 Admissions
Critics of standardized tests have had plenty of reasons to celebrate lately. More than three-quarters of colleges are not requiring the SAT or the ACT for admission this fall, an all-time high, and more than 400 Ph.D. programs have dropped the GRE, up from a mere handful a few years ago. MIT’s announcement on Monday that it is reinstating a testing requirement for fall 2023 admissions was a major departure from these recent trends.
The Atlantic.Com The SAT Isn’t What’s Unfair - By Kathryn Paige Harden
Fair
adjective: fair; comparative
impartial, and just, without favoritism or discrimination.
"The group has achieved fair and equal representation for all its members"
Unfair
adjective: unfair; comparative
not based on or behaving according to the principles of equality and justice.
"At times like these, the legal system appears inhumane and unfair"
Oxford Dictionary
The Reality of Implementing Fairness
When discussing fairness in education, are we talking about having the same opportunity for every student at every school? That isn’t realistic.
Does “fairness” mean that all competition is removed?
Does it mean that every test should be shown to the students a few days before the tests are given so they can memorize all the answers?
The question of fairness is really about economic opportunity. Will students be able to live the “American Dream”?
I think this is a myth.
This can’t be the tool to measure our success because it’s a vauge and undefined tool.
Let’s talk about breaking down barriers to high achievement….
Education for All: Breaking Down Barriers to Achievement
Section 1: Fairness in Grading and Evaluation
Is it fair that tests and essays are graded against a standard?
Is it fair or unfair that someone practices grammar to know how to parse a sentence?
How can educational institutions assure people that their standards are fair and required?
Section 2: Equity in Learning Opportunities
Is it fair or unfair that a student reads extensively while others do not?
Is it fair that some people have access to extensive libraries of English books that they can read for free?
What does the concept of equal learning opportunities and its implications for fairness look like in the real world?
Section 3: Disparities in Education Access
Is it fair that some students know algebra while others don’t?
Is it fair that some students study and some do not?
How can you analyze the disparities in education access and their impact on fairness and provide solutions that work?
Section 4: Quality of Education and Skill Development
Is it fair that schools turn out students who do not read well?
Is it fair that students are in school for twelve years and don’t have the skills they need?
What is the connection between the quality of education students receive, and the skills students acquire in class for 12 years?
Section 5: Teacher Influence and Standardized Testing
Are teachers unfair because students do not learn?
Are the State Tests unfair?
What roles do teachers and standardized testing play in shaping education system fairness?
As you can see, the topic leaves me with more questions than answers.
If we are more transparent about discussing objectives and goals, I believe students will understand the many educational paths in front of them. By giving students a perspective of where they are on their educational journey, they can make their best plans.
Time is the greatest intangible object we all equally possess.