News, Views and Careers for All of Higher Education
Aug. 16, 2007
— Scott Jaschik and Elizabeth Redden
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Look at the academic book publishing giants. Check the textbooks that have large numbers of “contributing” editors. See if those “editors’” colleges bought the textbook in question.
Then ask non-involved experts how those textbooks compare with others in the field.
Post the results. Prepare for whining.
B.D., at 9:40 am EDT on August 16, 2007
“Students are receiving diagnoses of disorders that entitle them to extra time". It seems the special needs situation has gotten out of hand in my opinion. I have numerous students who have paid note takers for them which I am expected to recruit at the beginning of the semester. They have readers in the learning center that read the tests to them taking as much time as they want. In many cases these students score well above the class average with minimal class attendance. They refuse in class assignments the other students are required to complete, stating that the assignment must be forwarded to the learning center. On three separate occasions I have discovered blatant cheating with zero consequence and it is still business as usual.
Voice of Reason, at 9:50 am EDT on August 16, 2007
I am completely disgusted by rich parents who pay money to help their children cheat with misdiagnosed disabilities. Being nervous before a test is not a disability. It is human nature. There are kids with real disabilities out there who may suffer negative consequences as colleges try to clamp down on abuses.
As an African-American, I am also disgusted by the sheer injustice these parents are perpetuating. Studies have shown that black students get lower test scores when they are reminded that they are representing their race. Many of us are reminded of our race and our supposed inferiority more times than most non-blacks would ever suspect. The kids talked about in this story already have every advantage- including one of the best predictors of high academic performance- high socio-economic upbringing. Maybe just to make this fair all African-Americans, Latinos, and Native-Americans should automatically get more time on the SAT and ACT.
MB, at 11:05 am EDT on August 16, 2007
Plaudits to Cuomo’s early work but I have to wonder who is minding the legal store in the state of New York? Also I have not read much about what the other state attorneys are doing about the problem.
Louis A Reibling, Retired emeritus Vice President of Instruction at Schoolcraft College, at 11:50 am EDT on August 16, 2007
” .. On three separate occasions I have discovered blatant cheating ..”
I’ve had mixed results — some positive, some cheating.
I’d like to help the students involved, but I’ve got to ask: is anyone going to disclose to prospective employers that extra time was allowed?
If the well-meaning folks behind this are willing to let the public wait longer — they ought to say so, upfront and now. Otherwise, they are just going to make things worse, at a later time. (Like after they retire — hey, they got theirs.)
B.D., at 2:50 pm EDT on August 16, 2007
MB, Can you send to me the studies that you refer to in the second paragraph of your message? Thanks. steveg@usca.edu
almostretired, at 5:30 pm EDT on August 16, 2007
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pull the plug on mascots
Look, I’m all for humane treatment of animals. I’m sure there are plenty of zoos that will happily take in the current roster of mascots nationwide.
I’m sure that some insane alum, with too much money on his hands, can even arrange a sponsorship plaque outside the (environmentally correct) zoo habitat for Bingo the Fighting Panda of Succotash State.
But aid offices are scrouging for nickels for their students, and this kind of money’s being spent on campus? Disgusting.
Athletics is already earning plenty of money for lots of schools, thank you very much. Will the gravy train screech to a halt without live mascots?
finaidfollies, at 9:00 am EDT on August 16, 2007