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Anti-testing Letters

[Susan notes: Students lose when we push science above the humanities, and no one benefits from the hype about science--except the corporations looking to glut the workforce with overqualified workers who will be so desperate for a job they won't make any demands.]

To the editor

From Stephen Krashen

Submitted to Dallas Morning News but not published (12/12/2012)


Heavy science,math, technology focus in education: A good idea?

The annoucement that the "Lancaster superintendent is shaping his district to be a science, math model," (Dec 10), with a focus on STEM (science, technology, enginneering and math) from pre-K to 12, is based on the assumption that this kind of focus will prepare students better for the work place. Maybe, maybe not.

According to research done by Rutgers Professor Hal Salzman, there is no shortage of science and technology graduates. In fact, Salzman has concluded that there are two to three qualified graduates for each science/tech opening.

Stephen Krashen

Sources:
Salzman, H. & Lowell, B. L. 2007. Into the Eye of the Storm: Assessing the Evidence on Science and Engineering Education, Quality, and Workforce Demand. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1034801
Salzman, H. and Lowell, L. 2008. Making the grade. Nature 453 (1): 28-30.
Salzman, H. 2012. No Shortage of Qualified American STEM Grads (5/25/12) http://www.usnews.com/debate-club/should-foreign-stem-graduates-get-green-cards/no-shortage-of-qualified-american-stem-grads.
See also:
Teitelbaum, M. 2007. Testimony before the Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation. Committee on Science and Technology, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC, November 6, 2007

More Anti-testing Letters

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