In my role as an educational consultant, I have had the privilege of serving as the chairperson for two different associations that provide vouchers for public schooling. In both cases, these associations allow parents to use public funds for the cost of providing their children with the opportunity to receive an education at a public school that is licensed and maintained according to the state’s regulations. At one of these associations, the Parent-aged Independent Living Schools (PALS), over 50% of the voucher applications we receive are approved. However, the other association, the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) which is a national organization dedicated to providing high-quality training for low-income and minority students, does not use public funds to supplement the cost of providing public education for its students.
The lack of a standardized testing program in this country has created a situation where children from low income and minority families may not be receiving the same quality education that those from wealthier and middle class families are receiving. As a result, many of these children find it difficult to move on to higher education and obtain a higher paying job that will allow them to provide a better life for themselves and their children. Many of these children are then enticed to enter the private sector for employment, which means that they are receiving less pay than their public school counterparts. That is why the recent trend toward homeschooling is so beneficial for the present and future well being of our economy.
So, which of the following represents a question within higher education?
The first solution is that the laboratories of academe are being closed. When research and academic study no longer requires that students submit written reports to laboratories or share data in a computer file, it becomes extremely difficult to motivate these students to continue working in the sciences. As a result, research funding suffers and institutes are forced to cut down on the amount of research that they do in order to maintain their budgets. Consequently, fewer young scientists and students will be developing their skills and discover new ways to advance the knowledge of humankind.
The second solution is that colleges and universities are now using standardized testing as the major way that they determine whether or not to admit students. Standardized testing is a valid way to determine which students are ready for college level courses. That is why many parents are now asking whether or not the use of standardized testing is a valid way for colleges to decide who is ready for a university degree. The fact of the matter is that standardized testing provides accurate results which are used to determine whether or not a student has learned the material required to successfully complete a course. As a result, colleges and universities are not allowing students to enroll in classes without first taking the standardized test.
The third answer is that there are public schools that use standardized tests. These public schools are allowed to do this because they receive public funding from the government. In most cases, the standardized tests are aligned with the standards which are set forth by the federal government. Private schools, which receive public funding can also use standardized tests in order to decide which students in need of extra help will be receiving an adequate education.
The fourth answer is that there are some private schools which use standardized tests. These private schools are not funded by the government and therefore cannot legally mandate the use of standardized tests in order to receive public funding. However, private schools still use these tests as a means to evaluate which students have a good chance of being successful once they start attending their school.