A+ is for Absent

The columnist talks about the lack of enforcement for education. The columnist compares and talks about the education of the United States to that of China, and South Korea. as well as Texas individually. The assessment test, TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills), has allowed schools to permit students with passing grades to allow absent passes for ten designated days of school. The article talks about the absences related to the TAKS testing according to the grades due to a reward system. The ten days are used for remedial days for the kids who did not pass. This test also determines the graduation, promotion of grade, also district ratings. The TAKS test has been an issue for many juniors and seniors, the test has the changed the curriculum of certain subjects and classes. This test now determines whether or not a student has the capability to pass the required grade level with just a single test, though their grades are high enough to do so. The opinion given by the columnist is for the government against the Texas policy and waivers provoking students to skip. The view in which this writer takes is the view of against the law maker decision on what has been made and against TAKS testing. The writer quotes in their words, “Instead of saying, Congratulations, you're ready to advance, the school says, Stop right there — that's enough learning for one year. Go home and start vacation — or weekends — early." I disagree with the writer. The thing is that seniors have taken the TAKS and during the time given for remedial why should seniors sit through nothing? The subject should seniors get a leeway on absences for passing TAKS is like should they also at the end of semesters for examinations. When exams are given to students which they have passed, they are allowed to skip the ones they are exempt or have taken. Like an examinations why should seniors not given this opportunity for the TAKS. If this test determines whether or not we graduate or excel in our education, what more do we have to learn. If this is given the test should not be given in assessment, rather just the classes we take during the year should give examinations.

Top Ten Percent

The Senate Higher Education Committee approved on Wednesday with a four to one vote for a revision on the Top Ten Percent law. The Dallas Morning News article, "Legislation proposes revamping Texas top 10 percent law for college admissions," describes how the automatic admission of the top 10% of the class will be altered better suited for diverse teenagers. The revision has been used to show teenagers with leadership skills, individuality, and talents that they have a chance at their dreams in a public Texas university. Many freshmen hoping for admission in public Texas universities, will have to compete for space and no longer have to fight with the automatic admissions of the top ten percentile.

With the revision of this law it allows teenagers with talent but low academics a spot in Texas public universities without contention of space to be automatically accepted by the top ten percent rule. For many people applying to colleges now, they will have to consider things outside the academics to show how well rounded they are. This subject applies to incoming freshmen which are considering admissions into a public university, to now include extracurricular activities in their schedules. People who are in public universities now will not be affected. However if this rule was revised before, many colleges would have had spots for many students with diverse backgrounds.