Here are some brief words on standardized testing, COVID requirements that affect travel, and college debt forgiveness.
Many of my students are not taking the MAPS testing that we are doing seriously. I'm seeing scores that would put their reading levels at those of an average third grader. While there are students with severe reading disorders, there are a large number of students who are just blowing off the test--even thinking it's funny. I despise high stakes testing, but no-stakes testing is almost meaningless as data.
I'm fairly certain that I could have filled two tour buses for my Rome and Athens trip if it wasn't for COVID and the number of vaccine deniers in our community. I've had numerous students come to me upset (more than one in tears), asking if there was any way for them to go without the vaccine because one of their parents refuses to let them get it. At present, the our tour company is requiring them as travel requirements in Italy and Greece are in flux. I'm irritated that parents are holding back their children from such opportunities due to petty politics.
Today's announcement of $10,000 ($20,000 for Pell Grant recipients) of student loan forgiveness is a step in the right direction even if it falls well short of what needs to be done regarding the costs of higher education.
Many of my students are not taking the MAPS testing that we are doing seriously. I'm seeing scores that would put their reading levels at those of an average third grader. While there are students with severe reading disorders, there are a large number of students who are just blowing off the test--even thinking it's funny. I despise high stakes testing, but no-stakes testing is almost meaningless as data.
I'm fairly certain that I could have filled two tour buses for my Rome and Athens trip if it wasn't for COVID and the number of vaccine deniers in our community. I've had numerous students come to me upset (more than one in tears), asking if there was any way for them to go without the vaccine because one of their parents refuses to let them get it. At present, the our tour company is requiring them as travel requirements in Italy and Greece are in flux. I'm irritated that parents are holding back their children from such opportunities due to petty politics.
Today's announcement of $10,000 ($20,000 for Pell Grant recipients) of student loan forgiveness is a step in the right direction even if it falls well short of what needs to be done regarding the costs of higher education.
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