Research Paper Update #1 and Source Collection #1

For my research paper, I'm learning about the argument for and against standardized testing, especially national tests like the SAT used for college admissions etc.  Here are some of the sources I have collected so far.

"Standardized Testing Measures College Success" By Jeffery Penn.  This source analyzes the accuracy of standardized testing in predicting college success.  It asserts that students who perfrom better on tests like the SAT recieve better grades in college.

"Standardized Testing Does Not Measure College Success" By Theodore A. O'Neil.  This article asserts that standardized tests are not an accurate measure of student intelligence or potential for future success.  He claims that performance on tests corelates directly to the child's family income.

"Few Local Schools Hit Target" Kayla Heimerman.  Heimerman analyzes the negative consequences for "underperforming" schools in Illinois that are not meeting No Child Left Behind's standards.

ADDED 11-15-12
"SAT's Legacy of Cheating" Steve Cohen.  Daily Beast Writer, Cohen, discusses last fall's SAT cheating scandal in New York and across the nation.  Acknowledging that SAT (and other standardized test) cheating is not widespread, he states that it is still a problem.  He discusses cheating on other tests and abroad.

"Do SAT Scores Really Predict Success?" This ABC News article discusses the pros and cons of the SAT and similar college admission exams.  It asserts that, although the SAT is flawed, it provides an objective comparison between applicants (especially with grade inflation and differing school environments)

The Case Against Standardized Testing Alfie Kohn.  I also plan to order Alfie Kohn's book about the pitfalls of standardized tests.  Even though it will be biased, I think it will provide an accurate explanation of the argument against the tests out education system has come to rely upon.

Find an Anti-Gay Marriage Article/Website

I found an artice on the arguments against gay marriage.  I don't agree with most of it but here it is.

Complaint

Some people are just plain obnoxious.  They have been disillusioned into believing that the rules do not apply to them.  They seem to think that their needs and desires are more important than everyone else's. They are rude and annoying but I have to deal with them.

Just a few days ago, I went to a movie.  Even after the public service announcement asking people to please turn off their cell phones, the woman in front of me would not stop texting.  She wasn't even trying to be discreet.  She held the phone right in front of his face and didn't even attempt to use her hand or jacket to shield the other movie goers from the blinding light of the screen.  Even though I found his actions annoying, I didn't say anything.  It was still the opening credits after all, I assumed she would put it away soon enough.  She did not.  She clearly believed that her conversation was more important than the rest of the audience's enjoyment of the film.

The scene of the complainer ranting at a tumultuous volume also comes to mind.   At a restaurant, I witnessed a man loudly complaining that his chicken was undercooked.  I did not doubt the validity of his concern, undercooked chicken is definitely not healthy, but I disapproved of the way he went about lodging his complaint.  First, he loudly called over his server: "Waitress. WAITRESSSS" he bellowed.  "Over here," he snapped his fingers twice.  The whole room fell silent, captivated by his audacity.  Even as she stood at his side, he continued to shout.  "My chicken is RAW," he practically screamed, he seemed to blame her for his undercooked food.  This scene went on for a few minutes, eventually the man insisted he see the manager, then the chef.  He refused to allow the chicken to be taken back and would not even accept his free meal.  Shouting something about calling the health department, the man eventually stormed out of the restaurant.  How rude! I couldn't help thinking.  Not only had the man ruined my appetite and wrecked the ambience of my meal, he had been incredibly mean to the wait staff, none of whom had any controlled of how his food was cooked.  I couldn't help but be angry at the man for destroying my peaceful evening with his tirades.  

Although I am almost constantly annoyed by obnoxious behavior and rude people, I rarely complain.  Perhaps because I fear making a scene and being deemed rude myself.  However, I think if someone politely told the texting woman or shouting man to stop, the other onlookers would be pleased rather than annoyed.   Many of us, myself included, tolerate other's annoying actions because we "don't want to be rude."  By remaining bystanders, we are allowing these obnoxious few to control us and ruin our experiences.

Defining Happiness

Here is a link to my essay

Senior Project Update #2

In all honesty, I haven't spent much time at all on my senior project since I last blogged about it.  Between schoolwork, volleyball, coaching and writing my college essays, I really haven't had time to do much of anything.
I'm excited to start my scuba diving classes, and have looked up some possible dates for those, but right now, I really need to find a mentor.   I was originally going to have one of my parents mentor me, because they are both scuba certified and have completed additional advanced certifications for deep water dives.  (Their credentials are one step below that of search-and-rescue divers.)  However, I was recently informed that you can't have a parent as your mentor so I will need to find a new one, something I should probably work on, considering the interview is due next week!