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Testing our Limits | Chris Hamilton | TEDxYouth@MCHS


[Applause]

[Applause] this Saturday afternoon beautiful

this Saturday afternoon beautiful

this Saturday afternoon beautiful Southern California public it’s a big

Southern California public it’s a big

Southern California public it’s a big coin or something maybe that wouldn’t

coin or something maybe that wouldn’t

coin or something maybe that wouldn’t draw people and I’m actually talking

draw people and I’m actually talking

draw people and I’m actually talking about the SAT the a CT something that is

about the SAT the a CT something that is

about the SAT the a CT something that is relevant to many of the people in this

relevant to many of the people in this

relevant to many of the people in this room and I’m going to make I suppose

room and I’m going to make I suppose

room and I’m going to make I suppose unlike the argument that these tests in

unlike the argument that these tests in

unlike the argument that these tests in many ways to reveal some cultural

many ways to reveal some cultural

many ways to reveal some cultural contradictions that go back to the 18th

contradictions that go back to the 18th

contradictions that go back to the 18th century that reveals something about the

century that reveals something about the

century that reveals something about the period of time that we call the

period of time that we call the

period of time that we call the Enlightenment and some debates that are

Enlightenment and some debates that are

Enlightenment and some debates that are still raging in the culture in which we

still raging in the culture in which we

still raging in the culture in which we all live my own in my life I took the

all live my own in my life I took the

all live my own in my life I took the SATs senior year of December I lived in

SATs senior year of December I lived in

SATs senior year of December I lived in Fort Wayne Indiana so I I put on the

Fort Wayne Indiana so I I put on the

Fort Wayne Indiana so I I put on the happy gloves I drove to the center with

happy gloves I drove to the center with

happy gloves I drove to the center with my best friend

my best friend

my best friend II took the tests that came back that in

II took the tests that came back that in

II took the tests that came back that in that time the place in the late eighties

that time the place in the late eighties

that time the place in the late eighties in many ways it worked and it should

in many ways it worked and it should

in many ways it worked and it should anyone could see any college that I was

anyone could see any college that I was

anyone could see any college that I was horrible at math but I do

horrible at math but I do

horrible at math but I do when math scores were crappy and they

when math scores were crappy and they

when math scores were crappy and they could probably guess that I didn’t even

could probably guess that I didn’t even

could probably guess that I didn’t even do my math homework and I didn’t in fact

do my math homework and I didn’t in fact

do my math homework and I didn’t in fact I was a problematic

I was a problematic

I was a problematic student I wouldn’t turn in assignments

student I wouldn’t turn in assignments

student I wouldn’t turn in assignments if I didn’t like the teacher and yet one

if I didn’t like the teacher and yet one

if I didn’t like the teacher and yet one week I went to the public library

week I went to the public library

week I went to the public library checked out a copy of the money attitude

checked out a copy of the money attitude

checked out a copy of the money attitude copy of the Wife of Bath because I

copy of the Wife of Bath because I

copy of the Wife of Bath because I suspected they were things missing an

suspected they were things missing an

suspected they were things missing an arm version and the things that were

arm version and the things that were

arm version and the things that were missing or all the dirty parts and so I

missing or all the dirty parts and so I

missing or all the dirty parts and so I got in a lot of trouble I got kicked out

got in a lot of trouble I got kicked out

got in a lot of trouble I got kicked out of class but the tests also revealed

of class but the tests also revealed

of class but the tests also revealed that I was a reader an obsessive reader

that I was a reader an obsessive reader

that I was a reader an obsessive reader it was something that I hid from my

it was something that I hid from my

it was something that I hid from my friends if you’re on the soccer team in

friends if you’re on the soccer team in

friends if you’re on the soccer team in Fort Wayne Indiana in 1987 you don’t

Fort Wayne Indiana in 1987 you don’t

Fort Wayne Indiana in 1987 you don’t want everyone to know that you have a

want everyone to know that you have a

want everyone to know that you have a crush on Jane Austen you keep it a

crush on Jane Austen you keep it a

crush on Jane Austen you keep it a secret or you get beat up but I I was

secret or you get beat up but I I was

secret or you get beat up but I I was able to show colleges that I was a

able to show colleges that I was a

able to show colleges that I was a reader and a liberal arts college gave

reader and a liberal arts college gave

reader and a liberal arts college gave me a chance despite my up-and-down

me a chance despite my up-and-down

me a chance despite my up-and-down record and I ended up graduating Phi

record and I ended up graduating Phi

record and I ended up graduating Phi Beta Kappa and I earned fellowships

Beta Kappa and I earned fellowships

Beta Kappa and I earned fellowships later when I graduated to UCLA I never

later when I graduated to UCLA I never

later when I graduated to UCLA I never graduate degrees I ended up teaching

graduate degrees I ended up teaching

graduate degrees I ended up teaching English literature for seven years I

English literature for seven years I

English literature for seven years I used to like doing something that was

used to like doing something that was

used to like doing something that was rewarding for me ESET was sort of

rewarding for me ESET was sort of

rewarding for me ESET was sort of life-changing but it’s not that way for

life-changing but it’s not that way for

life-changing but it’s not that way for everyone and they’re deathly critics of

everyone and they’re deathly critics of

everyone and they’re deathly critics of the SAT and a CTE and lately with the

the SAT and a CTE and lately with the

the SAT and a CTE and lately with the new changes that will affect you guys I

new changes that will affect you guys I

new changes that will affect you guys I find that I’m one of those critics so I

find that I’m one of those critics so I

find that I’m one of those critics so I want to talk a little bit about the

want to talk a little bit about the

want to talk a little bit about the cultural predict the contradictions and

cultural predict the contradictions and

cultural predict the contradictions and the problems with some of the new SAT

the problems with some of the new SAT

the problems with some of the new SAT one of the problems looks like this you

one of the problems looks like this you

one of the problems looks like this you can argue and many people have that the

can argue and many people have that the

can argue and many people have that the SAT has cultural bias built into it so

SAT has cultural bias built into it so

SAT has cultural bias built into it so here’s an example of an analogy these

here’s an example of an analogy these

here’s an example of an analogy these used to be on the SAT from 1970 anyone

used to be on the SAT from 1970 anyone

used to be on the SAT from 1970 anyone want to guess the right answer is it is

want to guess the right answer is it is

want to guess the right answer is it is C but in Fort Wayne Indiana for some

C but in Fort Wayne Indiana for some

C but in Fort Wayne Indiana for some reason in gym we didn’t have growing

reason in gym we didn’t have growing

reason in gym we didn’t have growing I’ve come to learn that at Phillips

I’ve come to learn that at Phillips

I’ve come to learn that at Phillips Exeter Academy you do engage in rowing

Exeter Academy you do engage in rowing

Exeter Academy you do engage in rowing and so you would know Horseman duh

and so you would know Horseman duh

and so you would know Horseman duh competes in a regatta but if you live in

competes in a regatta but if you live in

competes in a regatta but if you live in Fort Wayne Indiana or you grew up on the

Fort Wayne Indiana or you grew up on the

Fort Wayne Indiana or you grew up on the south side of Chicago it’s possible you

south side of Chicago it’s possible you

south side of Chicago it’s possible you might have evidence but to be fair this

might have evidence but to be fair this

might have evidence but to be fair this question was removed from the SAT almost

question was removed from the SAT almost

question was removed from the SAT almost immediately and yes

immediately and yes

immediately and yes see over the last couple decades has

see over the last couple decades has

see over the last couple decades has been constructed so that it’s pretty

been constructed so that it’s pretty

been constructed so that it’s pretty sensitive to cultural differences in

sensitive to cultural differences in

sensitive to cultural differences in fact marginal groups tend to make that

fact marginal groups tend to make that

fact marginal groups tend to make that false 20% of the passages I would argue

false 20% of the passages I would argue

false 20% of the passages I would argue that if you read the SAT you’re going to

that if you read the SAT you’re going to

that if you read the SAT you’re going to see a more diverse vision of the United

see a more diverse vision of the United

see a more diverse vision of the United States that if you watch a congressional

States that if you watch a congressional

States that if you watch a congressional hearing on CNN there’s a voice from the

hearing on CNN there’s a voice from the

hearing on CNN there’s a voice from the late 60s to sociologists who made this

late 60s to sociologists who made this

late 60s to sociologists who made this argument regarding the cultural bias and

argument regarding the cultural bias and

argument regarding the cultural bias and I find it persuasive those who look

I find it persuasive those who look

I find it persuasive those who look askance at testing should not rest their

askance at testing should not rest their

askance at testing should not rest their case on the simple notion of tests are

case on the simple notion of tests are

case on the simple notion of tests are unfair to the poor life is unfair to the

unfair to the poor life is unfair to the

unfair to the poor life is unfair to the poor test merely measure the results you

poor test merely measure the results you

poor test merely measure the results you can make another critique of the SBT is

can make another critique of the SBT is

can make another critique of the SBT is that it’s coachable for many years

that it’s coachable for many years

that it’s coachable for many years College Board argued simply that it

College Board argued simply that it

College Board argued simply that it wasn’t coachable the argument was no the

wasn’t coachable the argument was no the

wasn’t coachable the argument was no the SCT measures something in these in you

SCT measures something in these in you

SCT measures something in these in you it’s not approachable the argument that

it’s not approachable the argument that

it’s not approachable the argument that the s8 is coachable as a criticism has

the s8 is coachable as a criticism has

the s8 is coachable as a criticism has always puzzled me because I’m pretty

always puzzled me because I’m pretty

always puzzled me because I’m pretty certain that education itself is

certain that education itself is

certain that education itself is coachable if English and math are

coachable if English and math are

coachable if English and math are coachable

coachable

coachable then why am i teaching it in high school

then why am i teaching it in high school

then why am i teaching it in high school why do we have English teachers and math

why do we have English teachers and math

why do we have English teachers and math teachers if we want the test that

teachers if we want the test that

teachers if we want the test that measures the English and math skills

measures the English and math skills

measures the English and math skills that were born with we imagine the world

that were born with we imagine the world

that were born with we imagine the world it’s a little bit like a movie like a

it’s a little bit like a movie like a

it’s a little bit like a movie like a Tibet or a book like brave new world

Tibet or a book like brave new world

Tibet or a book like brave new world where we’re all fixed and we have

where we’re all fixed and we have

where we’re all fixed and we have certain earth traits

something’s wrong in your English class

something’s wrong in your English class if you read brave new world as a hopeful

if you read brave new world as a hopeful

if you read brave new world as a hopeful vision of the future

vision of the future

vision of the future it’s a dystopia it’s not the world that

it’s a dystopia it’s not the world that

it’s a dystopia it’s not the world that most of us want to live in but I would

most of us want to live in but I would

most of us want to live in but I would argue that how we see the world how we

argue that how we see the world how we

argue that how we see the world how we imagine the world is in fact something

imagine the world is in fact something

imagine the world is in fact something that’s at issue is something that’s at

that’s at issue is something that’s at

that’s at issue is something that’s at stake in the debates that are going to

stake in the debates that are going to

stake in the debates that are going to be reinvigorated with the new SAT in

be reinvigorated with the new SAT in

be reinvigorated with the new SAT in middle age debates about the SAT MEAC t

middle age debates about the SAT MEAC t

middle age debates about the SAT MEAC t come down to a very long-standing debate

come down to a very long-standing debate

come down to a very long-standing debate since the 18th century about whether the

since the 18th century about whether the

since the 18th century about whether the world that we live in is one that is

world that we live in is one that is

world that we live in is one that is given for one that is made whether we

given for one that is made whether we

given for one that is made whether we live in a world that has fixed realities

live in a world that has fixed realities

live in a world that has fixed realities but there’s no getting around or whether

but there’s no getting around or whether

but there’s no getting around or whether we could make and create the world that

we could make and create the world that

we could make and create the world that is more fair and more equitable here’s a

is more fair and more equitable here’s a

is more fair and more equitable here’s a vision from the medieval period up into

vision from the medieval period up into

vision from the medieval period up into the early 18th century of the way the

the early 18th century of the way the

the early 18th century of the way the world is structured who see it as given

world is structured who see it as given

world is structured who see it as given or fixed we call this of course the

or fixed we call this of course the

or fixed we call this of course the great chain of

great chain of

great chain of God is at the top these noodles are

God is at the top these noodles are

God is at the top these noodles are above him and then nobles are above

above him and then nobles are above

above him and then nobles are above peasants the world is needy structured

peasants the world is needy structured

peasants the world is needy structured and ordered even nonliving things have

and ordered even nonliving things have

and ordered even nonliving things have their own hierarchies of the great chain

their own hierarchies of the great chain

their own hierarchies of the great chain of being you need to know your place if

of being you need to know your place if

of being you need to know your place if you’re slowly rock like shale

you’re slowly rock like shale

you’re slowly rock like shale you can’t aspire to be like granite a

you can’t aspire to be like granite a

you can’t aspire to be like granite a person who expresses this nicely is the

person who expresses this nicely is the

person who expresses this nicely is the early 18th century poet Alexander Pope

early 18th century poet Alexander Pope

early 18th century poet Alexander Pope at a famous and very long poem I’m

at a famous and very long poem I’m

at a famous and very long poem I’m giving you only one line called that

giving you only one line called that

giving you only one line called that sound man he ends the first epistle by

sound man he ends the first epistle by

sound man he ends the first epistle by saying one tree is clear whatever is is

saying one tree is clear whatever is is

saying one tree is clear whatever is is right in other words don’t get any ideas

right in other words don’t get any ideas

right in other words don’t get any ideas don’t try to change things know your

don’t try to change things know your

don’t try to change things know your place of course by the end of the 18th

place of course by the end of the 18th

place of course by the end of the 18th century there were a lot of people who

century there were a lot of people who

century there were a lot of people who saw a different world one of them is

saw a different world one of them is

saw a different world one of them is Mary Wollstonecraft mother of Mary

Mary Wollstonecraft mother of Mary

Mary Wollstonecraft mother of Mary Shelley which you have the vindication

Shelley which you have the vindication

Shelley which you have the vindication of the Rights of Woman she essentially

of the Rights of Woman she essentially

of the Rights of Woman she essentially argued that it’s risen seem to be

argued that it’s risen seem to be

argued that it’s risen seem to be inferior it is because they’ve been

inferior it is because they’ve been

inferior it is because they’ve been raised that way they have been made that

raised that way they have been made that

raised that way they have been made that way and we could make them differently

way and we could make them differently

way and we could make them differently she argued largely about how women would

she argued largely about how women would

she argued largely about how women would be that

be that

be that making the case that things could be

making the case that things could be

making the case that things could be different things could be better this is

different things could be better this is

different things could be better this is essentially the central insight of the

essentially the central insight of the

essentially the central insight of the enlightenment that we can make the world

enlightenment that we can make the world

enlightenment that we can make the world make it make it differently make it

make it make it differently make it

make it make it differently make it better this idea inspired the American

better this idea inspired the American

better this idea inspired the American Revolution that inspired the French

Revolution that inspired the French

Revolution that inspired the French Revolution it is why we have public high

Revolution it is why we have public high

Revolution it is why we have public high schools it is why the United States

schools it is why the United States

schools it is why the United States exists what does this have to do with

exists what does this have to do with

exists what does this have to do with the SAT the SAT was originally

the SAT the SAT was originally

the SAT the SAT was originally envisioned and created as an aptitude

envisioned and created as an aptitude

envisioned and created as an aptitude test it was envisioned as a test that

test it was envisioned as a test that

test it was envisioned as a test that would find things that were fixed and he

would find things that were fixed and he

would find things that were fixed and he made in human beings to be fair it was a

made in human beings to be fair it was a

made in human beings to be fair it was a wildly democratic optimistic project in

wildly democratic optimistic project in

wildly democratic optimistic project in the 1920s and 30s the argument that

the 1920s and 30s the argument that

the 1920s and 30s the argument that conservatives made was if there are

conservatives made was if there are

conservatives made was if there are talented people on a farm or in public

talented people on a farm or in public

talented people on a farm or in public housing compares but presidents of Ivy

housing compares but presidents of Ivy

housing compares but presidents of Ivy League schools have a deep suspicion

League schools have a deep suspicion

League schools have a deep suspicion that if we Institute testing that

that if we Institute testing that

that if we Institute testing that measures aptitude something’s fixed

measures aptitude something’s fixed

measures aptitude something’s fixed we’ll find hidden talent and they assume

we’ll find hidden talent and they assume

we’ll find hidden talent and they assume that this

that this

that this would reflect another kind of order that

would reflect another kind of order that

would reflect another kind of order that in the 1930s was a pretty common idea

in the 1930s was a pretty common idea

in the 1930s was a pretty common idea I’m embarrassed to tell you among

I’m embarrassed to tell you among

I’m embarrassed to tell you among educated people an idea that we call

educated people an idea that we call

educated people an idea that we call eugenics in fact most of the Ivy League

eugenics in fact most of the Ivy League

eugenics in fact most of the Ivy League precedent to believe there was a great

precedent to believe there was a great

precedent to believe there was a great chain of being a hierarchy that looked

chain of being a hierarchy that looked

chain of being a hierarchy that looked like this

like this

like this there were Nordic peoples they

there were Nordic peoples they

there were Nordic peoples they considered themselves to be in that

considered themselves to be in that

considered themselves to be in that group and alpine cultures and

group and alpine cultures and

group and alpine cultures and ethnicities and Mediterranean people

ethnicities and Mediterranean people

ethnicities and Mediterranean people noticed that all of these groups are

noticed that all of these groups are

noticed that all of these groups are effectively what we call white and the

effectively what we call white and the

effectively what we call white and the SAT would of course naturally reflect

SAT would of course naturally reflect

SAT would of course naturally reflect this kind of hierarchy today of course

this kind of hierarchy today of course

this kind of hierarchy today of course we Paul we I mean it’s an ugly word but

we Paul we I mean it’s an ugly word but

we Paul we I mean it’s an ugly word but today we just call eugenics racism it’s

today we just call eugenics racism it’s

today we just call eugenics racism it’s not as exciting an idea and college

not as exciting an idea and college

not as exciting an idea and college presidents were frustrated and puzzled

presidents were frustrated and puzzled

presidents were frustrated and puzzled because this acute a very different

because this acute a very different

because this acute a very different world than the one they imagined existed

world than the one they imagined existed

world than the one they imagined existed what it revealed by the 1950s was that

what it revealed by the 1950s was that

what it revealed by the 1950s was that Eastern European immigrants had better

Eastern European immigrants had better

Eastern European immigrants had better scores than almost any other group they

scores than almost any other group they

scores than almost any other group they were Jewish they were immigrants there

were Jewish they were immigrants there

were Jewish they were immigrants there wasn’t a spot in this hierarchy for them

wasn’t a spot in this hierarchy for them

wasn’t a spot in this hierarchy for them the test was understood to probably be

the test was understood to probably be

the test was understood to probably be coachable it was something that if you

coachable it was something that if you

coachable it was something that if you worked hard you could do well which is

worked hard you could do well which is

worked hard you could do well which is really what the ACG is about in 1959 in

really what the ACG is about in 1959 in

really what the ACG is about in 1959 in the University of Iowa and they

the University of Iowa and they

the University of Iowa and they introduced a test called the ACP and it

introduced a test called the ACP and it

introduced a test called the ACP and it was meant to be an achievement test it

was meant to be an achievement test it

was meant to be an achievement test it was meant to be a test of what you

was meant to be a test of what you

was meant to be a test of what you learned this is a very different kind of

learned this is a very different kind of

learned this is a very different kind of test and it’s a very different vision of

test and it’s a very different vision of

test and it’s a very different vision of the world I would want you to consider

the world I would want you to consider

the world I would want you to consider an aptitude test assumes the things of

an aptitude test assumes the things of

an aptitude test assumes the things of Bates that things are given and it will

Bates that things are given and it will

Bates that things are given and it will discover those fakes hierarchies and

discover those fakes hierarchies and

discover those fakes hierarchies and achievement tests assume something like

achievement tests assume something like

achievement tests assume something like growth and that we can make something of

growth and that we can make something of

growth and that we can make something of ourselves and of our own our cultural

ourselves and of our own our cultural

ourselves and of our own our cultural moment today is heavily invested in

moment today is heavily invested in

moment today is heavily invested in achievement and that’s probably a good

achievement and that’s probably a good

achievement and that’s probably a good thing I’m an achievement person I

thing I’m an achievement person I

thing I’m an achievement person I wouldn’t have spent so many years in the

wouldn’t have spent so many years in the

wouldn’t have spent so many years in the classroom if I didn’t think that you

classroom if I didn’t think that you

classroom if I didn’t think that you could get better that you could grow by

could get better that you could grow by

could get better that you could grow by working this guy is definitely an

working this guy is definitely an

working this guy is definitely an achievement kid has anybody seen this it

achievement kid has anybody seen this it

achievement kid has anybody seen this it was huge last week

was huge last week

was huge last week this is called ice boy he apparently

this is called ice boy he apparently

this is called ice boy he apparently walks two miles each way into school

walks two miles each way into school

walks two miles each way into school last week he walked in the freezing

last week he walked in the freezing

last week he walked in the freezing weather so we live with his hair frozen

weather so we live with his hair frozen

weather so we live with his hair frozen I would argue that this shows some of

I would argue that this shows some of

I would argue that this shows some of the problems with achievement mountain

the problems with achievement mountain

the problems with achievement mountain sometimes we can work so hard it’s not

sometimes we can work so hard it’s not

sometimes we can work so hard it’s not good for us but as it was told in

good for us but as it was told in

good for us but as it was told in Chinese media you showed up at the

Chinese media you showed up at the

Chinese media you showed up at the classroom another way of thinking about

classroom another way of thinking about

classroom another way of thinking about achievement is through the work of dr.

achievement is through the work of dr.

achievement is through the work of dr. Carol Dweck who talks about mindset a

Carol Dweck who talks about mindset a

Carol Dweck who talks about mindset a fixed versus a growth mindset Carol

fixed versus a growth mindset Carol

fixed versus a growth mindset Carol Dweck aren’t using this or is it

Dweck aren’t using this or is it

Dweck aren’t using this or is it something that you are that could be

something that you are that could be

something that you are that could be fixed and discovered smart is something

fixed and discovered smart is something

fixed and discovered smart is something that you become and it’s something that

that you become and it’s something that

that you become and it’s something that all of us could become with a little

all of us could become with a little

all of us could become with a little work with a little effort there are a

work with a little effort there are a

work with a little effort there are a few problems to be sure with the

few problems to be sure with the

few problems to be sure with the achievement mindset and here’s one of

achievement mindset and here’s one of

achievement mindset and here’s one of them I don’t know if you can see all of

them I don’t know if you can see all of

them I don’t know if you can see all of this this is the freshmen initiative

this this is the freshmen initiative

this this is the freshmen initiative profile for Berkeley sometimes even I

profile for Berkeley sometimes even I

profile for Berkeley sometimes even I wonder why don’t you get rid of tests

wonder why don’t you get rid of tests

wonder why don’t you get rid of tests and have a pure achievement model just

and have a pure achievement model just

and have a pure achievement model just grades in backs achievement one of the

grades in backs achievement one of the

grades in backs achievement one of the problems is there were 43140 two

problems is there were 43140 two

problems is there were 43140 two students who apply to Berkeley above for

students who apply to Berkeley above for

students who apply to Berkeley above for whatever there’s no need for everyone

whatever there’s no need for everyone

whatever there’s no need for everyone who work hard and achieved and to get

who work hard and achieved and to get

who work hard and achieved and to get above a 4.0 I’m pretty sure you have to

above a 4.0 I’m pretty sure you have to

above a 4.0 I’m pretty sure you have to take a heavy con

take a heavy con

take a heavy con of AP classes what if your school

of AP classes what if your school

of AP classes what if your school doesn’t happen in AP classes about

doesn’t happen in AP classes about

doesn’t happen in AP classes about momentum I think well that’s crazy

momentum I think well that’s crazy

momentum I think well that’s crazy no that’s actually common that’s the

no that’s actually common that’s the

no that’s actually common that’s the norm across California the norm is 981

norm across California the norm is 981

norm across California the norm is 981 students to a counselor achievement has

students to a counselor achievement has

students to a counselor achievement has to acknowledge our accomplishments are

to acknowledge our accomplishments are

to acknowledge our accomplishments are going to be tied to the resources and

going to be tied to the resources and

going to be tied to the resources and environment in which we live

environment in which we live

environment in which we live besides if we just said okay Berkeley

besides if we just said okay Berkeley

besides if we just said okay Berkeley Harvard’s Yale the only except

Harvard’s Yale the only except

Harvard’s Yale the only except valvetrain there are 36,000 high schools

valvetrain there are 36,000 high schools

valvetrain there are 36,000 high schools and nine states they’re $36,000 for

and nine states they’re $36,000 for

and nine states they’re $36,000 for hands and it’s a founded Torian better

hands and it’s a founded Torian better

hands and it’s a founded Torian better in any way been the number four or

in any way been the number four or

in any way been the number four or number fourteen or twenty four person

number fourteen or twenty four person

number fourteen or twenty four person they maybe they just scratch their way

they maybe they just scratch their way

they maybe they just scratch their way to that spot there are other issues with

to that spot there are other issues with

to that spot there are other issues with achievement one of them is the

achievement one of them is the

achievement one of them is the University of Iowa in 1959 creating the

University of Iowa in 1959 creating the

University of Iowa in 1959 creating the ECT was creating it for the University

ECT was creating it for the University

ECT was creating it for the University of Iowa they wanted to know simply are

of Iowa they wanted to know simply are

of Iowa they wanted to know simply are you compared do you have the basic

you compared do you have the basic

you compared do you have the basic skills in other words an achievement

skills in other words an achievement

skills in other words an achievement test should really need more of a

test should really need more of a

test should really need more of a pass/fail endeavor it’s like the test

pass/fail endeavor it’s like the test

pass/fail endeavor it’s like the test you take you get your license at the DMV

you take you get your license at the DMV

you take you get your license at the DMV you ever have the skills or you don’t

you ever have the skills or you don’t

you ever have the skills or you don’t you know as far as I know no one is the

you know as far as I know no one is the

you know as far as I know no one is the valedictorian of the DMV you don’t get

valedictorian of the DMV you don’t get

valedictorian of the DMV you don’t get pulled over for speeding in the caucus

pulled over for speeding in the caucus

pulled over for speeding in the caucus like what the the achievement has a

like what the the achievement has a

like what the the achievement has a number a number of problems but it’s in

number a number of problems but it’s in

number a number of problems but it’s in many ways of course better than an

many ways of course better than an

many ways of course better than an aptitude model but the real problem is

aptitude model but the real problem is

aptitude model but the real problem is selected colleges like earthly and like

selected colleges like earthly and like

selected colleges like earthly and like Yale and Harvard they they need to know

Yale and Harvard they they need to know

Yale and Harvard they they need to know more than just are you prepared for

more than just are you prepared for

more than just are you prepared for college to make their admissions system

college to make their admissions system

college to make their admissions system work they need to know how do you

work they need to know how do you

work they need to know how do you compare with other people and so they

compare with other people and so they

compare with other people and so they need something they need something like

need something they need something like

need something they need something like this

this

this they want a normal distribution curve

they want a normal distribution curve

they want a normal distribution curve they might develop earth that will tell

they might develop earth that will tell

they might develop earth that will tell them how you prepare with everyone else

but achievement test is it that you do

but achievement test is it that you do that it’s not supposed to do that then

that it’s not supposed to do that then

that it’s not supposed to do that then achievement test should tell us who

achievement test should tell us who

achievement test should tell us who tried to achieve and that could be

tried to achieve and that could be

tried to achieve and that could be everyone but if colleges need a bell

everyone but if colleges need a bell

everyone but if colleges need a bell curve and they need the ACP NSA to need

curve and they need the ACP NSA to need

curve and they need the ACP NSA to need to deliver them there’s got to be some

to deliver them there’s got to be some

to deliver them there’s got to be some way of manipulating a test conceived as

way of manipulating a test conceived as

way of manipulating a test conceived as an achievement test and turning it into

an achievement test and turning it into

an achievement test and turning it into something else that produces this bell

something else that produces this bell

something else that produces this bell curve what you do is what they do in

curve what you do is what they do in

curve what you do is what they do in carnivals when you need to make sure

carnivals when you need to make sure

carnivals when you need to make sure that most people don’t win the game you

that most people don’t win the game you

that most people don’t win the game you have something tricky

have something tricky

have something tricky something difficult it’s not easily

something difficult it’s not easily

something difficult it’s not easily discerned and on the new SAT and for a

discerned and on the new SAT and for a

discerned and on the new SAT and for a long time on the HDTV what they

long time on the HDTV what they

long time on the HDTV what they introduced is time they have time to

introduced is time they have time to

introduced is time they have time to tests they ECT is not inherently a

tests they ECT is not inherently a

tests they ECT is not inherently a difficult test but you’re generally not

difficult test but you’re generally not

difficult test but you’re generally not given enough time to complete it because

given enough time to complete it because

given enough time to complete it because what we call processing speed how we’re

what we call processing speed how we’re

what we call processing speed how we’re wired

wired

wired neurologically is something that will

neurologically is something that will

neurologically is something that will plan out on a on a bell curve

some kids are fast in another century we

some kids are fast in another century we even use this as a synonym for smart

even use this as a synonym for smart

even use this as a synonym for smart beset people were quick but this is

beset people were quick but this is

beset people were quick but this is something that is wired in this is

something that is wired in this is

something that is wired in this is something you are born with so what

something you are born with so what

something you are born with so what we’re seeing is very quietly even I

we’re seeing is very quietly even I

we’re seeing is very quietly even I would say secretly we now have two tests

would say secretly we now have two tests

would say secretly we now have two tests that look like their achievement tests

that look like their achievement tests

that look like their achievement tests but they are not they are aptitude tests

but they are not they are aptitude tests

but they are not they are aptitude tests measuring something that is innate

measuring something that is innate

measuring something that is innate something that you were born with and I

something that you were born with and I

something that you were born with and I will argue something irrelevant to

will argue something irrelevant to

will argue something irrelevant to learning and knowledge I want to know if

learning and knowledge I want to know if

learning and knowledge I want to know if you understood what you read I’d prefer

you understood what you read I’d prefer

you understood what you read I’d prefer to do a student mind you silly

to do a student mind you silly

to do a student mind you silly read something two or three burned I

read something two or three burned I

read something two or three burned I don’t care how fast you read it I’ve had

don’t care how fast you read it I’ve had

don’t care how fast you read it I’ve had parents about clients tell me can’t you

parents about clients tell me can’t you

parents about clients tell me can’t you teach my kids to speed read aren’t their

teach my kids to speed read aren’t their

teach my kids to speed read aren’t their speed reading techniques the answer is

speed reading techniques the answer is

speed reading techniques the answer is no there aren’t what people assume is

no there aren’t what people assume is

no there aren’t what people assume is speed reading there’s another more

speed reading there’s another more

speed reading there’s another more proper name for it it’s called skimming

proper name for it it’s called skimming

proper name for it it’s called skimming do we want to educate kids reward them

do we want to educate kids reward them

do we want to educate kids reward them for skimming if you higher on the where

for skimming if you higher on the where

for skimming if you higher on the where is it very useful but he says look I

is it very useful but he says look I

is it very useful but he says look I graduated from Harvard I have a seat

graduated from Harvard I have a seat

graduated from Harvard I have a seat Bardeen documents really back I can give

Bardeen documents really back I can give

Bardeen documents really back I can give you the gist of this someone is very

you the gist of this someone is very

you the gist of this someone is very angry at you that’s not super useful as

angry at you that’s not super useful as

angry at you that’s not super useful as a skill full disclosure

a skill full disclosure

a skill full disclosure when you start companies that deal with

when you start companies that deal with

when you start companies that deal with education and help you apply to college

education and help you apply to college

education and help you apply to college it’s good for business when there are

it’s good for business when there are

it’s good for business when there are changes to the SAT in the ACP it makes

changes to the SAT in the ACP it makes

changes to the SAT in the ACP it makes people worried it makes them anxious but

people worried it makes them anxious but

people worried it makes them anxious but I’m worried and I think you should be

I’m worried and I think you should be

I’m worried and I think you should be worried because not only are you at a

worried because not only are you at a

worried because not only are you at a disadvantage if you’re not fast if

disadvantage if you’re not fast if

disadvantage if you’re not fast if you’re not a fast processing speed kid

colleges don’t seem to understand that

colleges don’t seem to understand that these shifts and changes to the SAT and

these shifts and changes to the SAT and

these shifts and changes to the SAT and that are inherent in the AC T are really

that are inherent in the AC T are really

that are inherent in the AC T are really going on I go to conferences all the

going on I go to conferences all the

going on I go to conferences all the time two years ago I attended a

time two years ago I attended a

time two years ago I attended a conference I was

conference I was

conference I was room bigger than this one 500 college

room bigger than this one 500 college

room bigger than this one 500 college admissions officers attending and when

admissions officers attending and when

admissions officers attending and when it was my chance to go to the microphone

it was my chance to go to the microphone

it was my chance to go to the microphone I ask them

I ask them

I ask them has anyone here taken the new SAT have

has anyone here taken the new SAT have

has anyone here taken the new SAT have any of you even death not a single hand

any of you even death not a single hand

any of you even death not a single hand among that group of professionals was

among that group of professionals was

among that group of professionals was raised in many ways you know these are

raised in many ways you know these are

raised in many ways you know these are just tests they’re unpleasant things

just tests they’re unpleasant things

just tests they’re unpleasant things that have to be gotten through a phase

that have to be gotten through a phase

that have to be gotten through a phase of your life but in another way or means

of your life but in another way or means

of your life but in another way or means way I want to argue the debates that we

way I want to argue the debates that we

way I want to argue the debates that we have as a culture about how we select

have as a culture about how we select

have as a culture about how we select kids for college

kids for college

kids for college and about these tests they really do go

and about these tests they really do go

and about these tests they really do go back to an older let’s go forward to an

back to an older let’s go forward to an

back to an older let’s go forward to an older argument about whether we live in

older argument about whether we live in

older argument about whether we live in a world that is given or a world that is

a world that is given or a world that is

a world that is given or a world that is maybe one that we made if we really do

maybe one that we made if we really do

maybe one that we made if we really do believe that there are fixed categories

believe that there are fixed categories

believe that there are fixed categories and people should know their place then

and people should know their place then

and people should know their place then okay we should have a test that seeks

okay we should have a test that seeks

okay we should have a test that seeks out the 1% of geniuses that may be out

out the 1% of geniuses that may be out

out the 1% of geniuses that may be out there we should have to test I guess the

there we should have to test I guess the

there we should have to test I guess the measures how fast you you read but if we

measures how fast you you read but if we

measures how fast you you read but if we believe that the world as a founding

believe that the world as a founding

believe that the world as a founding fathers did the world is one that we

fathers did the world is one that we

fathers did the world is one that we made one that we create one that we

made one that we create one that we

made one that we create one that we could make more fair that we could make

could make more fair that we could make

could make more fair that we could make ourselves better then I think we want to

ourselves better then I think we want to

ourselves better then I think we want to stick to this model of achievement it’s

stick to this model of achievement it’s

stick to this model of achievement it’s a better way of looking at students and

a better way of looking at students and

a better way of looking at students and thinking about but we also need to be

thinking about but we also need to be

thinking about but we also need to be honest about the fact that if we believe

honest about the fact that if we believe

honest about the fact that if we believe in that model we need to fund public

in that model we need to fund public

in that model we need to fund public schools or generously we need to find

schools or generously we need to find

schools or generously we need to find them more fairly

them more fairly

them more fairly because not everyone has the same chance

because not everyone has the same chance

because not everyone has the same chance to achieve and succeed and the test will

to achieve and succeed and the test will

to achieve and succeed and the test will merely tell us something we should

merely tell us something we should

merely tell us something we should already suspect that the world we’re

already suspect that the world we’re

already suspect that the world we’re building isn’t as fair as the one I’m

building isn’t as fair as the one I’m

building isn’t as fair as the one I’m not convinced that we probably should be

not convinced that we probably should be

not convinced that we probably should be as an earlier generation seventy years

as an earlier generation seventy years

as an earlier generation seventy years ago was convinced building a test that

ago was convinced building a test that

ago was convinced building a test that measures the 1% and finds me geniuses

measures the 1% and finds me geniuses

measures the 1% and finds me geniuses one more kind of thing we want to build

one more kind of thing we want to build

one more kind of thing we want to build the system that nurtures and encourages

the system that nurtures and encourages

the system that nurtures and encourages the genius that may be present in in all

the genius that may be present in in all

the genius that may be present in in all of us in all of you thank you very much

of us in all of you thank you very much

of us in all of you thank you very much [Applause]

”

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