Test Graders Stink

A very good piece about the high subjectivity of open-ended test grading, how we need to better standardize the graders.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/28/opinion/28farley.html?_r=1

I can hardly express how much I disliked the state writing tests. Maybe if I had learned to write good, I could express it better.

Julius Peppers

Julius Peppers gives $100,000 to scholarship fund. Wahoo! Nice job, Mr. Peppers.

Myron Rolle

Here is an inspiring story about Myron Rolle, a defensive back for Florida State who is pre-med and competing for a Rhodes Scholarship. He is considered one of the best players on the Florida State team. He finished his undergraduate degree in two and a half years and is currently doing graduate work in public administration while continuing football. Wow.

Education in America

I just wanted to direct you to a good piece by David Brooks in the NY Times about the slide of education in America over the last 40 years. He terms it "The Biggest Issue." Let's hope he really considers it the biggest issue when he votes this November:

If you look at Barack Obama’s education proposals — especially his emphasis on early childhood — you see that they flow naturally and persuasively from this research [on the importance of early childhood education]... McCain’s policies seem largely oblivious to these findings. There’s some vague talk about school choice, but Republicans are inept when talking about human capital policies.