Doug A. Archbald and Fred M. Newman assert in their academic article Assessing Authentic Academic Achievement in the Secondary School that standardized tests may not accurately measure authentic knowledge. The researchers supported this thesis by stating that these tests to not focus on “real” life obstacles, developing alternatives to the tests, and stating that admissions counselors should focus on more than one score. The researchers hope to convince schools that there are alternative methods to the standardized test. The intended audience is a scholarly one that understands the importance or weight of the tests administered, although the language used does not exclude any particular group.
Theodore Micceri states in his article, How We Justify and Perpetuate the Wealthy, White, Male Academic Status Quo through the Use of Biased Admissions Requirements, that universities are actively collecting a more Caucasian, rich student body. He supports this by conducting a study of college applicants and their admission based on stringent test scores. The researcher hopes to definitively answer whether or not GPA and standardized test scores are similar in their disparity among differing races and genders. The researcher’s audience seems to be that of a scholarly, academic one in that he uses many previous studies to support his ideas as well as a language that is more on par with that of a college graduate.
In his article, Preparation for College Admission Exams, Derek C. Briggs writes that test preparation methods for standardized tests are successful. He supported this claim by gathering information about different techniques and their effectiveness. He intends to convince guidance counselors and educators to implement specific training programs in order to aid in the success of their students. The audience is clearly the guidance counselors and educators in that the language excludes anyone unfamiliar with standardized testing and caters to those who are in the position to implement said programs.
I think your essay is well written, and clearly states what the author's purpose was, and who their audience is. You also did a good job showing how they supported their thesis. The thing I would change would be to add a transition into the next paragraph/article to tie them together. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting topic. Michigan schools put a lot of time into the MEAP test. I know from personal experience just because a student scores well on a standardized test does not mean they are a good student, i.e. test scores do not match GPA. You should have a nice paper once you have inserted your final changes. As it stands right now I have a little trouble understanding the professional/expert jargon of the articles.
ReplyDelete