kitchen table math, the sequel: merit aid

Thursday, August 2, 2007

merit aid

Just checked with Ed.

His "source" told him that only 3 colleges in the country are not offering what they call "discounts" (the public term is "merit aid") to students in order to lure them away from other colleges.

As he recalls, the 3 colleges named were Harvard, Princeton, and Amherst. (He's not sure about Amherst.)

The Ivies compete with each other.

As far as I can tell, the competition is over SAT and/or ACT scores, which it would almost have to be. The scores are the metric everyone uses: average scores of Princeton's entering freshman class, average scores of Harvard's, etc.

Of course, this is another K-12 irony. At a time when college costs $40K a year - and colleges are awarding merit aid almost exclusively on the basis of SAT scores - our entire education establishment has decided to focus on authentic assessment.

Every kid in my district is going to have his own portfolio.
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29 comments:

Anonymous said...

Merit aid ends at Hamilton College with the class matriculating in Fall 2008.

http://www.hamilton.edu/news/more_news/display.cfm?id=11946

August 2, 2007 at 10:38 PM
Anonymous said...

If we can all remember in 15 years to see who the leaders are of our nation - in science, engineering, physics, and mathematics - and we ask their parents what their education was like ... I would readily bet now that these leaders will not be the shining product of fuzzy math and authentic assessment but instead the product of parents who supplemented, retaught, tested, and held the child to reach for a high bar of learning.

i am so tired of the rhetoric and garbage being spewed from the educational establishment and their arrogance towards parental concerns.

August 3, 2007 at 5:26 AM
SteveH said...

"Every kid in my district is going to have his own portfolio."

This is now mandated by our state government - senior portfolios. I wonder if you can fill the portfolio with copies of all of your report cards and SAT/ACT scores. Isn't this supposed to be a reflection of your K-12 education? I can see one having big projects in each of the major courses, but an overall portfolio? This is like a scrapbook of your high school years.


Catherine hits the irony right on the nose.

August 3, 2007 at 6:09 AM
SteveH said...

From our high school web site:

"Each student in the class of 2008 and beyond will be required to complete an electronic portfolio as part of the requirements for graduation from NKHS. The graduation portfolio will be one way in which proficiency in schoolwide expectations for learning is measured. "

"Students will be completing one anchor assignment for each class each semester. At the end of the junior year students will be selecting from among all of their submissions and creating a Graduation Portfolio which demonstrates proficiency. Each student will review his/her portfolio with a faculty review team."


[Anchor assignment?]


NKHS Graduation Expectations for Student Learning

1. Independent Academic Responsibility
2. Group Academic Responsibility
3. Oral Communication
4. Written Communication
5. Visual Communication
6. Problem Solving
7. Critical Thinking
8. Arts and Culture
9. Healthy Living
10. Social Responsibility
11. Community Involvement/Life Skills/Career Goals
12. Responsible Citizenship


[Not math, but "problem solving" and "critical thinking". They have defined a rubric for these:]

1. Understands the Problem

2.Develops/Plans Strategies and Reasoning

3. Identifies Solution(s)

4. Utilizes Information


[For critical thinking, they have:]

1.Identifies and Understands Problem

2. Evaluate Key Information

3. Synthesize Information


[This is all quite meaningless.]



[Then, of course, you have to have a summative reflection.]


SUMMATIVE REFLECTION - TO BE TYPED AND SAVED IN WORD (USE SPELL CHECK WHEN DONE) You will need to prepare a Summative Reflection to be included in your Graduation Portfolio. Here are some guidelines for creating the reflection.

The summative reflection should include your thoughts on how you have grown as a learner during your time at NKHS. Specifically focus on how the skills you have gained will be of value to you in your future (college/jobs).


[Perhaps you can say that you have a much better idea of the fluff that passes for education. I'll bet that most teachers HATE this. "Anchor projects". These are just class projects and the results should be reflected in the students' grades.]

August 3, 2007 at 6:36 AM
Tex said...

OK, I’m very interested in this. Next month I’ll talk to my 10th grader’s guidance counselor.

My son tested very well on the SATs he took in middle school as part of the Johns Hopkins program. And, this was before he had taken any real algebra courses. So, I think there’s potential there.

On the other hand, his grades are not so outstanding. Unless he steps up his efforts, I doubt he’ll accumulate a GPA above 3.5. Hopefully, it’ll be above 3.

If he knows it could mean merit aid, he may be willing to take one or two SAT prep courses to bring his scores way up.

Oh, he’s half-Hispanic if that helps. I’ll be shameless about using that if it’s an advantage.

August 3, 2007 at 6:56 AM
Tex said...

Had no idea about the portfolios!

Another thing to ask the guidance counselor about.

August 3, 2007 at 6:58 AM
Tex said...

Portfolio . . . . hmm.

Sounds like another project that will require “parental involvement”.

August 3, 2007 at 7:01 AM
Karen A said...

Here is a link to a site that discusses National Merit Scholarships (a number of colleges offer scholarships (the amount varies, of course) to National Merit Finalists. The program is based on the PSAT scores.

http://www.collegeplanningsimplified.com/NationalMerit.html

August 3, 2007 at 7:28 AM
Karen A said...

"Oh, he’s half-Hispanic if that helps. I’ll be shameless about using that if it’s an advantage."

It has been an advantage for several folks we know when it comes to financial aid. I will also add that the students were high-performing and well-deserving as well.

August 3, 2007 at 7:32 AM
Karen A said...

"On the other hand, his grades are not so outstanding."

The son of friends of ours scored in the low 220s on the PSAT (which should definitely make the cut-off for National Merit Semi-Finalist in our state). However, he's barely in the top 10% of his class because he doesn't always put in the effort to get the A. It drives his parents crazy!!

On the other hand, the kid has the raw talent to score in the top 1% of all college-bound juniors in the country. The potential is certainly there.

August 3, 2007 at 7:36 AM
Instructivist said...

["Each student in the class of 2008 and beyond will be required to complete an electronic portfolio as part of the requirements for graduation from NKHS...]

Dreadful stuff!

That's a lousy way to measure academic achievement. I suspect academic achievement is not a priority. What with all the talk about "growth" and "reflection". This is straight out of ed school.

I dug around he site and found these expectations. Healthy living is an academic expectation!


Academic Expectation #1 - Students shall develop personal responsibility for and assume commitment to working to their potential both independently and the cooperatively.


Academic Expectation #2a - Students shall be able to effectively communicate ideas, solve problems, and think critically across disciplines, through a variety of mediums.


Academic Expectation #2b - Students shall be able to effectively communicate ideas, solve problems, and think critically across disciplines, through a variety of mediums.


Academic Expectation #2c - Students shall be able to effectively communicate ideas, solve problems, and think critically across disciplines, through a variety of mediums.


Academic Expectation #3a - Students shall acquire an understanding and appreciation of the importance of the arts, culture, and healthy living.


Academic Expectation #3b - Students shall acquire an understanding and appreciation of the importance of healthy living.


Social Expectation - Students shall exhibit self-discipline, respect for others, integrity, compassion, and a sense of fairness.



Civic Expectation #1 - Students shall have the opportunity for community involvement to develop life skills and career goals.



Civic Expectation #2 - Students shall develop an understanding of local and global issues to foster responsible citizenship.

August 3, 2007 at 9:12 AM
concernedCTparent said...

I find it difficult to believe that universities actually are on board with this. I understand that test scores in and of themselves are not a surefire indicator of success in college, but the contents of the "portfolio" as an indicator seems iffy at best.

August 3, 2007 at 10:48 AM
le radical galoisien said...

Uhhh ... I'm sort of worried since I apply for colleges this year and I haven't heard anything like this. Although perhaps my state is spared.

I thought SATs were secondary elements of admission ... I didn't know it determined funding. Is it that critical that one should retake it again if say, one got a 2090?

Since PSLE hype has left a rather interesting taste in my mouth, I quite despise the idea of SAT prep courses. I am not sure if I am being arrogant.

"The son of friends of ours scored in the low 220s on the PSAT (which should definitely make the cut-off for National Merit Semi-Finalist in our state)."

I can't remember, but I think I got a 208. I yet, I was surprised to find I was ineligible when classmates with lower scores were eligible. IIRC, the reason was that I was just a US green card holder and not a citizen, which peeved me somewhat.

August 3, 2007 at 11:19 AM
le radical galoisien said...

"I wonder if you can fill the portfolio with copies of all of your report cards and SAT/ACT scores."

Or NSW competition certs. ;)

August 3, 2007 at 11:20 AM
SteveH said...

After talking with another parent with kids in that high school, he said that it is more of an irritation. The "anchor projects" come from the regular work in the courses unless the teacher wants to be a big pain. So the kids just keep some work along the way and put it all on CD. In their senior year they make a presentation and say all sorts of things that the panel wants to hear. No college ever asks to see it.

August 3, 2007 at 11:34 AM
Catherine Johnson said...

Thanks, Mathew!

Offhand, I'm going to express doubt about Hamilton's move.

In my few dealings with admissions offices so far, I've seen that there is a LOT of spin.

I don't say that to be nasty about Hamilton.

Just skeptical!

August 3, 2007 at 11:40 AM
Catherine Johnson said...

This is now mandated by our state government - senior portfolios.

It's always worse than you think.

August 3, 2007 at 11:41 AM
Catherine Johnson said...

More insider stuff: talking to people who work at universities, what I hear is SCORES, SCORES, SCORES.

That's the metric.

The Dean meets with the departments at College Whatever and tells them how their SAT scores match up against College Across The Tracks.

SAT scores are the coin of the realm.

Deans don't tell their professors what their incoming freshmen's grades were, how many AP courses they took, or what kind of character education they had.

They talk about SAT scores.

August 3, 2007 at 11:43 AM
Catherine Johnson said...

Ed says there are 150 students at NYU who are getting everything paid for, across the board.

This isn't about need.

These are merit scholarships.

A full ride.

August 3, 2007 at 11:43 AM
Catherine Johnson said...

One of the kids here, an Irvington girl who babysat for the kids, has a full ride at Hunter, I believe.

I should check with Ed about that; maybe her parents have to kick in with something.

But it's not much.

Hunter gave her LOTS of money to come to Hunter.

August 3, 2007 at 11:44 AM
Catherine Johnson said...

Steve

I am agog.

August 3, 2007 at 11:46 AM
Catherine Johnson said...

I find it difficult to believe that universities actually are on board with this.

Colleges are utterly indifferent to all of this, every last drop.

August 3, 2007 at 11:48 AM
Catherine Johnson said...

lrg - I wouldn't take an SAT prep course if I were you.

The College Board says prep courses don't work, and has some data to demonstrate this.

They have a stake in saying that, but my guess is they're right.

My best friend in L.A., both of whose kids are going to fantastic colleges and who have aid (it's possible they have financial aid) didn't have her kids take SAT prep courses. (I think that was for financial reasons.)

Their plan with their daughter, who just finished her first year at Yale, was to have her take the SAT, see how she did, and THEN decide on whether or not to spring for a prep course.

She did so well on the SAT the first time around that she decided not to take the test again. She said there was no way she was going to end up with a better score, and she was risking ending up with a worse score (true).

She went to Catholic schools K-12.

August 3, 2007 at 11:52 AM
Catherine Johnson said...

btw, I'm saying that merit aid decisions are being made on the basis of scores, but that's what I'm extrapolating from conversations Ed has had --- AND I'm saying that as a global observation.

I think it's correct to say that overall colleges are looking to raise their average SAT/ACT.

I don't think that means that all merit aid decisions, for all individual students, are made on the basis of SAT scores & SAT scores alone.

I think I DO know (can't remember the source, so I may be hallucinating) that schools will offer scholarships to students interested in studying a subject that is undersubscribed at their college.

There are probably other situations that would spark "merit" interest.

btw, as far as I can tell there are quite a few unsung athletic scholarships out there, too.

August 3, 2007 at 11:55 AM
Karen A said...

Here's my take on SAT/ACT preparation. I don't know much about the prep courses per se but I do think it's a good idea to buy one of the test prep books and try one's hand at a few practice tests.

For example, if you don't understand the whole grammar concept of parallelism, you will want to brush up on that. In other words, it will help the student identify where there holes might be.

Also, as I have mentioned previously, I think it's a good idea to take the the test in an actual test environment setting prior to junior year. For one thing, the tests are 3 1/2 to 4 hours long, and most kids aren't used to focusing that intently for that long of a time period. Also, the familiarity with the process helps create a comfort zone of sorts. That is, when it comes time for the real deal, it's not quite as stressful.

August 3, 2007 at 1:29 PM
Karen A said...

Regarding the National Merit Cut-offs: each state has its own cutoff score. There are a fixed amount of total scholars, which I think is based on the total number of college-bound juniors taking the test. Each state is then allocated a percentage of that number, based on the number of students taking the test in that state.

There is quite a range in the cutoff scores from state to state. For example, the Arkansas cutoff score is typically not as high as that of Maryland (which has one of the highest, if I recall).

But, if you qualify as a National Merit Scholar in your state, whatever that number is, you qualify as a National Merit scholar for any college or university that is choosing to offer a scholarship based on that designation, regardless of the state. (I think that's correct.)

August 3, 2007 at 1:34 PM
Karen A said...

Uh, speaking of grammar and a failure to proofread before posting, that would be "where their (not there) holes might be."

August 3, 2007 at 1:46 PM
Catherine Johnson said...

I do think it's a good idea to buy one of the test prep books and try one's hand at a few practice tests.

That's what I would do.

It's possible I'll change my mind as we get closer to the test, but buy-a-test-prep-book is my plan for the time being.

August 3, 2007 at 2:50 PM
Catherine Johnson said...

Also, as I have mentioned previously, I think it's a good idea to take the the test in an actual test environment setting prior to junior year.

That's exactly what my friend's daughter did.

Took the test first, then decided whether she needed a course.

(I don't know whether she used a test prep book going in. They didn't mention it; I'm assuming she probably didn't.)

August 3, 2007 at 2:51 PM

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