#iteachphysics “This Test is Unfair": Urban African American and Latino High School Students’ Perceptions of Standardized College Admission Tests https://t.co/6yxakEK8sO
#iteachphysics “This Test is Unfair": Urban African American and Latino High School Students’ Perceptions of Standardized College Admission Tests https://t.co/KdLQAUomuz
#iteachphysics
It seems like a universal feature of standardized tests is that there is mismatch between the test exam and use of the scores in evaluating the student
#iteachphysics
It seems like a universal feature of standardized tests is that there is mismatch between the test exam and use of the scores in evaluating the student
#iteachphysics I can’t answer for all of these, but I can say that it seems more grad schools are recognizing the inherent unfairness of the Physics GRE. I think that is a good thing.
In my view AP is a good substitute for a college general physics course. But I definitely understand why colleges get protective of their own courses and say it is not. #iteachphysics
#iteachphysics I also think the AP exam is a reasonable tool for giving students limited college credit. However, I don’t like it when Physics/Engineering majors use it to skip over first year of physics.
#iteachphysics Survey data from 8,594 students in 55 randomly chosen colleges and universities finds that those having passed an AP science exam earn somewhat higher college science grades, but not enough to assume prior mastery. https://t.co/OweRYsriRb
#iteachphysics Survey data from 8,594 students in 55 randomly chosen colleges and universities finds that those having passed an AP science exam earn somewhat higher college science grades, but not enough to assume prior mastery. https://t.co/ysvpxMSoPk
Some students do so poorly on a high stakes timed test, their AP exam score does not reflect their content knowledge. Those students would be better served with a strong dual enrollment course.
#iteachphysics
#iteachphysics Moreover, half of this performance difference appears to be related to demographics and high school coursework and not to students' AP coursework. https://t.co/ysvpxMSoPk
#iteachphysics Moreover, half of this performance difference appears to be related to demographics and high school coursework and not to students' AP coursework. https://t.co/OweRYsriRb
+ @achmorrison My philosophy is "...take the course. Get the A. That grade, plus the socialization with your peers will be more helpful in the long run." #iteachphysics
A related but separate issue, colleges have lab as a completely separate course. Often unrelated in sequence with separate pool of instructors. Can we evaluate that model?
#iteachphysics
Yep. Achievement (content knowledge) vs aptitude (i.e., potential) is a problem. One reason many students score poorly on the physics GRE is because they simply haven't completed courses like quantum and stat mech when they take the test #iteachphysics
I mean it as standardized, really. It's a standardized test, but college physics is not standardized from one school to another. Thus AP is more useful for some colleges than for others. #iteachphysics
#iteachphysics These results suggest a pattern of financial access, but limited time to participate in professional development activities among AP teachers.
#iteachphysics These results suggest a pattern of financial access, but limited time to participate in professional development activities among AP teachers.
I guess there's a class size issue as well. Labs are capped around 25-30 but lectures can be consolidated minimize the number of instructors necessary. #iteachphysics
#iteachphysics The exam scores get wrapped around the student, but are they really more a measure of the teacher, their professional preparation, PD uptake, and resources available to them?
#iteachphysics The exam scores get wrapped around the student, but are they really more a measure of the teacher, their professional preparation, PD uptake, and resources available to them?
I agree with this. I taught a very lab-centric AP course, but our university's lecture section now is not paced/coordinated well with the lab section.
#iteachphysics
In reply to
@nuclear94, @iPublicPolicy, @BlackPhysicists
Didn't realize that. @rpi years ago, Physics 1,2 & 3 included a (required) weekly lab, like Chemistry, a 4 credit class, instead of regular 3 credit class. #iteachphysics
In reply to
@nuclear94, @sterlace, @BlackPhysicists, @rpi
I don't know that I'd agree. One advantage high school classes have is that labs don't happen at the same time every week, as often is the case in college classes. This allows labs to happen at a more natural time to reinforce learning or introduce a concept. #iteachphysics
In reply to
@iPublicPolicy, @sterlace, @nuclear94, @BlackPhysicists
#iteachphysics BTW, I should not have used the term "standardized" since there hasn't been a when, where, or how that we arrived at 'standards' for physics education
#iteachphysics BTW, I should not have used the term "standardized" since there hasn't been a when, where, or how that we arrived at 'standards' for physics education
Working on one now between multiple APS committees; not sure about AAPT. "Statements" takes quite a long time at APS; 2018 may be optimistic. e.g., I think the statement on racial violence that came out of APS Committee on Minorities took a year @APSDiversity#iteachphysics
In reply to
@BlackPhysicists, @AAPTHQ, @APSphysics, @APSDiversity
My thing about labs is that we never make students actually build the equipment, or at least assemble some kind of apparatus. Isn't that where the rubber meets the road in experimental physics? #iteachphysics
My thing about labs is that we never make students actually build the equipment, or at least assemble some kind of apparatus. Isn't that where the rubber meets the road in experimental physics? #iteachphysics
Just joining the party now. I'm a first year high school physics teacher from outside Kansas City, MO. Teaching AP Physics C and our Physics 1 (mechanics) and Physics 2 (E&M) courses. #iteachphysics
#iteachphysics My strategy is always to focus on conceptual understanding that benefits the widest swath of students possible, whether they end up taking standardized exams or not.
