Some thoughts about strategy-based test prep

When proclaiming that the SAT and the ACT are not tests that can be effectively coached, the College Board and the ACT like to trot out the following statistic, courtesy of the National Association for College Admissions Counseling Existing academic research suggests average gains as a result of commercial test preparation are in the neighborhood of 30 points on the SAT and less than one point on the ACT, substantially lower than gains marketed by test preparation companies. Lets take a moment and unpack this assertion. First, one of the key words here is commercial test prep (e.g. Kaplan and Princeton Review); nowhere is tutoring through boutique companies or private tutoring mentioned. As someone who has helped more than one student increase their verbal  scores alone by 350+ points on the SAT and 10+ points on the ACT, I have some grounds for disputing the idea that the shortcomings of commercial test-prep should not be extended to test-prep in general. Thats not, however, what I really want to focus on here. What interests me, rather, is the idea of average gains and the way in which that average was determined. Ive been thinking about this thanks to Debbie Stier, who put up a very interesting blog link to the following article by cognitive psychologist Daniel Willingham, a professor at the University of Virginia. Willingham makes the point that: When a teacher presents a reading strategy to students, we can assume that there are three types of students in the class: students who have already discovered the strategy (or something similar) on their own, students who are not fluent enough decoders to use the strategy, and students who are good decoders but don’t know the strategy. Only the last group of students will benefit from reading strategy instruction. When a researcher finds an average effect size of d=0.33 for teaching students the strategy, that effect is probably actually composed of many students who showed no benefit and a smaller number of students who showed a large benefit. I think that something very similar is going on in many strategy-based prep classes. My guess is that only around half  of the people who take those tests (those scoring 500+) actually have solid enough literal comprehension skills to even make any sort of strategy-based prep worthwhile. What this means is that if someones comprehension skills are truly up to par (meaning, more or less, that they can pick up a College Board Critical Reading passage at random, understand the gist of it, and summarize the main point and tone), they actually stand to benefit immensely from strategy-based prep. It probably wont help for the ones scoring 750+ from the start because theyre already using many of the standard strategies, even unconsciously, but for many of the still-small percentage scoring in the 600 to low 700 range, the increase can be very substantial. Many of the ones who persistently score in the 500s, however, wont succeed in raising their scores at all because they lack the core skills on which to base the strategies they learn. This points to a disturbing conclusion: the real problem isnt that people can game the test by learning strategies (aka tricks) but rather that many test-takers dont even even have strong enough comprehension skills to be helped by those strategies in the first place.

Wrights Architecture of Space and Interior Designs

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Essay - 1395 Words

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight the poet depicts an entertaining story of adventure and intrigue. However, the poem is more than a grand adventure. It is an attempt to explore the moral ideals of Sir Gawain. Gawains standards are represented by the pentangle on his shield. The depiction of the pentangle occurs when Sir Gawain is preparing to gear up for his quest for the Green Chapel. Gawains outfit is described in great detail, including its color, makings, and apparel. His armor is meant to serve as a means of protecting his physical being. This shield has great spiritual values in the five-points of the pentangle. Representing the knights physical being, the shield serves as a form of†¦show more content†¦Marys knights prayers seem answered as a castle becomes noticeable off in the distance. Though is seemingly a miracle Gawain remains true to his chivalric principles. Gawain then rides up to the gate and asks for lodgings for this eve of Christs birth. This simple scene shows how the pentangle can have true balance. As Hollis says, Gawain prays for a solution to his current predicament, and upon finding a solution he procures his lodgings through courtly requests. Finally, he properly thanks Jesus for his good fortune. As a result of Gawains virtue he gains entrance into the castle. However, his entrance into the castle is for reasons that he is unaware of at the time. From the instant Gawain sets foot inside the castle his downfall is inevitable. It is in this castle that Gawains competing values are put to the test. Up until now Gawain has been fitted in his armor and shield, but at the castle he finds that there is no longer a need for his armor. Sir Gawain is now stripped of his symbolic identity by the removal of both shield and gear. In its place he wears mundane clothing. This is the first step toward the disruption of the balance of values that the pentangle represents. It is these clothes he wears when the lady of the castle tempts him during the three mornings. Sir Gawain sees the lady as extremely sensuous. This is not characteristic of the way one views the wife of a lord who is givingShow MoreRelatedSir Gawain And The Green Knight1359 Words   |  6 PagesIn the poem â€Å"Sir Gawain and The Green Knight,† a protagonist emerges depicting an Arthurian knight named Sir Gawain. Sir Gawain, King Arthur’s nephew, takes initiative by accepting the challenge requested by the Green Knight in place of his uncle. He undergoes a perilous adventure, seeking for the Green Knight to receive the final blow. Although Sir Gawain is not viewed as a hero for his military accomplishments, he is, however, viewed as a heroic figure by the Knights at the Round Table for hisRead MoreSir Gawain And The Green Knight862 Words   |  4 PagesIn Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, by an unknown author referred to as the â€Å"Pearl Poet,† we are introduced to Sir Gawain. Gawain is a knight of the Round Table and he is also the nephew of King Arth ur. As a knight, Gawain is expected to possess and abide by many chivalrous facets. Throughout the poem he portrays many of the qualities a knight should possess, such as bravery, courtesy, and honor among others. Because of his ability to possess these virtues even when tempted to stray away from themRead MoreSir Gawain and the Green Knight1100 Words   |  5 PagesThe poem of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight compares a super natural creature to nature. The mystery of the poem is ironic to the anonymous author. The story dates back into the fourteenth century, but no one knows who originally wrote the poem. This unknown author explains in the poem of Sir Gawain not knowing of the location of the Green Chapel and or who the Green Knight really is. This keeps the reader entertained with the suspicion of not knowing. The author then does not give his name orRead MoreSir Gawain And The Green Knight Essay1687 Words   |  7 PagesSir Gawain and the Green Knight contains ambiguity and irony that make it interesting to read and teach. Gawain’s conflict arose when he accepted the girdle that could protect him and when he lied to his host, severing fellowship with the lord for courtesy with the lady. By utilizing a social reconstructionist philosophy of teaching that emphasizes personal beliefs and ethics, a teacher will help the students establish their identities and learn to appreciate classic literature. Sir Gawain and theRead MoreSir Gawain And The Green Knight1514 Words   |  7 PagesSir Gawain and the Green Knight is an epic poem written in the mid to late fourteenth century by an unknown author. Throughout the tale, Sir Gawain, a Knight at the Round Table in Camelot, is presented with many hardships, the first being a challenge on Christmas by a man in which, â€Å"Everything about him was an elegant green† (161). This â€Å"Green Knight† challenged someone in Camelot to accept his game which they will chop off his head with his axe a nd the Green Knight will do the same to the playerRead MoreSir Gawain And The Green Knight1335 Words   |  6 PagesSir Gawain: The Ironic Knight Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a tale of the utmost irony in which Sir Gawain, the most loyal and courteous of all of King Arthur’s knights, fails utterly to be loyal and courteous to his king, his host, his vows, and his God. In each case, Sir Gawain not only fails to perform well, but performs particularly poorly, especially in the case of his relationship with God. Ultimately, Sir Gawain chooses magic over faith, and by doing so, shows his ironic nature as aRead MoreSir Gawain And The Green Knight906 Words   |  4 Pagesusually the latter. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight we see Sir Bertilak go off to hunt three very specific animals as a game with Sir Gawain. They agree that â€Å"what ever [Bertilak catches] in the wood shall become [Sir Gawain’s], and what ever mishap comes [Sir Gawain’s] way will be given to [Bertilak] in exchange.† (Sir Gawain†¦, ln 1105-1007). In this deal we slowly see Gawain loose his honor as paralleled with Sir B ertilak’s hunt. The first animal that is hunted by the knight is a deer, while thisRead MoreSir Gawain And The Green Knight Essay1521 Words   |  7 PagesFall 16 Donnelly Many years ago, knights were expected to form a certain type of relationship with their king, this relationship was otherwise known as fealty. Fealty is a knight’s sworn loyalty to their king (in other words a loyal relationship should be formed between the two). The use of this relationship is shown in the poem called â€Å"Sir Gawain and the Green Knight† ( the author is unknown). This poem has a classic quest type of formula, with a knight receiving a challenge and then going outRead MoreSir Gawain And The Green Knight1455 Words   |  6 PagesHowever, for Gawain in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight temptation existed around every corner while he was playing the game of the Green Knight. Temptation existed every day and each day it existed in a new way. Gawain never knew what was coming his way throughout the grand scheme of the game, but one thing was for certain he was being tested. Without his reliance religious faith and dedication to his reputation, Gawain wo uld not have been able to make it through the game of the Green Knight alive andRead MoreSir Gawain And The Green Knight Essay1020 Words   |  5 PagesBoth Sir Gawain, from â€Å"Sir Gawain and the Green Knight† translated by Marie Borroff, and Beowulf, from Beowulf translated by Burton Raffel, serve as heroes in different times of Medieval English Literature. Many of the basic principles that describe heroes in Medieval Literature are seen in both of these characters even though they were written in different times. There are distinct similarities, differences, and also a progression of what the hero was in English literature, between Sir Gawain and

Particle De in Japanese

Particles are probably one of the most difficult and confusing aspects of Japanese sentences. A particle (joshi) is a word that shows the relationship of a word, a phrase, or a clause to the rest of the sentence. Some particles have English equivalents. Others have functions similar to English prepositions, but since they always follow the word or words they mark, they are post-positions. There are also particles that have a peculiar usage which is not found in English. Most particles are multi-functional. The Particle De Place of Action It indicates the place where an action takes place. It translates into in, at, on, and so on.   Depaato de kutsu o katta. I bought shoes at the department store. Umi de oyoida. I swam in the ocean. Means It indicates means, method, or instruments. It translates into by, with, in by means of, etc.  Ã‚   Basu de gakkou ni ikimasu. I go to school by bus. Nihongo de hanashite kudasai. Please speak in Japanese. Totalizing It is placed after a quantity, time or amount of money, and indicates an extent.  Ã‚  Ã‚   San-nin de kore o tsukutta. Three of us made this. Zenbu de sen-en desu. They cost 1,000 yen altogether. Scope It translates into in, among, within, etc.   Kore wa sekai de ichiban ookii desu. This is the biggest in the world. Nihon de doko ni ikitai desu ka. Where do you want to go in Japan? Time Limit   It indicates time consumed for a certain action or occurrence. It translates into in, within, etc.   Ichijikan de ikemasu. We can get there in an hour. Isshuukan de dekimasu. I can do it in a week. Material It indicates the composition of an object.   Toufu wa daizu de tsukurimasu. Tofu is made from soybeans. Kore wa nendo de tsukutta hachi desu. This is a bowl made of clay. Required Cost   It translates into for, at, etc.  Ã‚   Kono hon o juu-doru de katta. I bought this book for ten dollars. Kore wa ikura de okuremasu ka. How much would it cost to send this? Cause It indicates a casual reason or motive for an action or occurrence. It translates into due to, because of, owing to, etc.   Kaze de gakkou o yasunda. I was absent from school due to a cold. Fuchuui de kaidan kara ochita. I fell down the stairs due to carelessness.

American Romanticism As Portrayed By Walt Whitman s Song...

Jesha C. Lor Callis Modern Civ-LIT 3/21/16 Song of myself (1855) Narrative (1845) American Romanticism as portrayed by Walt Whitman’s â€Å"Song of Myself† and Fredrick Douglass’s Narrative American Romanticism focuses on the imagination, emotions and idealized perspectives of the world. Romanticism is in opposition to the forms and conventions of Neoclassical Literature and is a reaction to the Age of reason which preceded Romanticism. Reason was ruled out in this era in place of imagination, individuality, and emotions, which are all three roots that defines Romanticism. Although, Walt Whitman’s Song of Myself and Frederick Douglass’ Narrative were written ten years apart, many persons that wrote in this era represented the major ideas and themes of the Romanticism era. As an Abolitionist Romance Narrative, Frederick Douglass’s Narrative consists of a journey from repression to transcendence. The Romantic elements in his Narrative, created the highest possible effect for abolitionism by not only being highly realistic bu t, also romantic in nature. Prior to the Narrative, was the abolitionist movement in which the unique role of African Americans allowed for moral superiority, as the audience could voice one of authority, moral understanding, and experience. Douglass was the perfect person who had profound intelligence and oratory abilities who could command the kind of respect capable of energizing that movement. Not only did Douglass’s work excite the passions of theShow MoreRelatedAmerican Romanticism : An Important Time For Poetry And Its Development974 Words   |  4 PagesAmerican romanticism was an important time for poetry and its development. There were many themes throughout the romanticism that most poets touched on in their work. There was nature, breaking free, individualism, democracy, radicalism and the figure of the outcast. Ralph Waldo Emerson touched on a few of the themes in many of his poems, but touched on individualism especially in â€Å"Hamatreya†. Another poet that touched on themes of the American romanticism was Walt Whitman, in his poem â€Å"Song of Myself†Read MoreAnalysis Of Walt Whitman s What Came First The Chicken Or The Egg? 1739 Words   |  7 PagesTaylor Fink Professor Jonathan Cook English 231 10 July 2015 Emerson Vs. Whitman and Their Influence on Each Other When talking about Ralph Waldo Emerson and Walt Whitman a similar question of â€Å"What came first the chicken or the egg?† comes to mind. Scholars may argue that without Emerson and his influential sermons and speeches that Walt Whitman would have never found his voice, but how can someone who so many consider one of the greatest poets of all time cease to exist? Ralph Waldo EmersonRead MoreWhat Came First The Chicken Or The Egg?2116 Words   |  9 Pagestalking about Ralph Waldo Emerson and Walt Whitman a similar question of â€Å"What came first the chicken or the egg?† comes to mind. Scholars may argue that without Emerson and his influential sermons and speeches that Walt Whitman would have never found his voice, but how can someone who so many consider one of the greatest poets of all time cease to exist? Ralph Waldo Emerson knew what he was doing when he published The Poet. It was an outcry for the American people to speak a truthful narrative

Main Theories Of Schooling Implied By Marx s Historic...

In the modern capitalist society, social class is the most prominent and common categorization of people based on their income, occupation and education. In Marx’s view, this type of social system requires educated citizens to become either the owner of the means of production or workers that sell the labour to function the society. To this end, school are used as a mechanism to reproduce an efficient and obedient working force and maintain the dominant position of the elites. This essay seek to analyse and criticize the central purpose of schooling implied by Marx’s historic materialism. It is important to investigate the causal factors of inequalities underlie the seemingly fair education structure, so that we can search for ways to reform to achieve human liberation ideals, prevent exacerbate the class division. Karl Marx, is a German political philosopher. Jean (2011) documented that he developed the historic materialism relates social formation to the modes of production. He divide the society into two components, the superstructure and the base structure. The superstructure, contains family, media, politics etc regulates, control and monitor the base structure which includes relation and means of production; the base structure offer life necessities and support the superstructure. School is an institution that is placed at the intermediate position integrated with these social relations. Therefore, to explore the roles of education in this form of society, we need

History Essay On Limitation Of Renaissance Med Example For Students

History Essay On Limitation Of Renaissance Med Why did the discoveries of the renaissance period have so little impact on medical treatment at that time ? The discoveries of the Renaissance did not make a significant contribution to the improvement of medical treatment for many reasons. The first of these reasons is that the discoveries made during these times were about anatomy not treatment. Vesuvius dissected bodies in order to prove that many of the works that Galen the ancient Greek who had formed the basis for modern medical teachings had produced, were in fact wrong. Also Harvey who proved that the heart acts as a pump, pumping blood around the body left some of his work unproven for instance the discovery of the capillaries. Both these scientists were also strongly opposed by the church because they could prove Galen wrong and the church believed that Galen was the true say on medicine. The main reason the discoveries of the Renaissance did not make a significant contribution to the improvement of medical treatment was the opposed from the church. Wrought almost a thousand years in the medieval period people where only taught the works of Galen for they lived Galen based this works on the belief of a higher power, I. E. God. So for many years he was the only source of medical knowledge. No one dared oppose the church for the power they held over society until the church lost power medical remained the same. So Harvey and Vesuvius were so strongly opposed because they could both proved Galen wrong, such as Vesuvius proved that Galen was wrong bec ause he proved that we have one Jaw were as Galen believed we had two because his dissection was on apes who have two. He also proved that the kidneys are the same eight. He was also able to prove the church wrong when they claimed that men had less ribs than woman because in Genesis God removed one of Adams ribs to create Eve. Vesuvius proved his theorys through public dissection but this also limited his work because people frowned upon the dissection of the dead body. However this works were proved but still shunned due to the churches power. Harvey was able to prove Galen wrong for Galen believed that the blood was made by the liver were as Harvey proved that the heart pumped the same blood around the body. He faced the name difficulties even when this theorys were proven therefore limiting there effect on society. Another reason is Harvey could not prove all of this theory such as that there are tiny blood vessels called capillaries which moved blood between the arteries and the veins. Harvey was unable to prove this theory giving people reason to believe that his other theory were wrong. Meaning it was nearly 50 years before teachers at the university of Paris taught Harveys ideas instead of Galena. Being unable to prove this theorys lead to less patients coming to see him for some thought he was mad.