A game of PACT Scam?
Columbia, S.C. – February 22, 2007 – The same company that currently reaps millions of dollars to grade South Carolina’s controversial Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test (PACT) has now been awarded a contract to oversee reforms to the test. Minnesota-based Data Recognition Corporation, which is represented in South Carolina by political heavyweight Warren Tompkins’ lobbying firm, Tompkins, Kinard & Associates, won a $54 million contract in 2003 to grade the PACT.
Now, that same company has been awarded an $825,000 contract to recommend PACT reforms, an arrangement some consider a conflict of interest.
“Now that’s the fox guarding the henhouse,” said former State Board of Education member Terrye Seckinger.
Legislators agreed.
“I would be more interested in hearing a fresh perspective on PACT than hearing from someone who has been providing PACT services for years,” said State Rep. Phillip Shoopman, a former member of the State Board of Education. “I have yet to meet a teacher who is thrilled with PACT, so going back to that well doesn’t make sense to me.”
If it's done for those seeking professional certifications and entry into graduate programs, then I have two questions:
- Why does the PACT test have to be done the way it is?
- Who stands to benefit/profit from the way it is presently being done?
About five years ago, when a friend of mine who was then on the State Board of Education was one of those who tried to stop local school districts from continuing to creep their start dates back to early August. Why the need for a change? They need more time to teach the PACT test ... to get the desired scores ... to rig the system.
Anyone who has been through college will remember those required general ed classes, where the professor was an adjunct or new on faculty who got stuck with the class. They had to be there, and so did we. To let each other off the hook, we agreed to show up for class, they'd "teach the test", we'd pass it and go on to real classes.
Well, that's the PACT test
Maybe it's no big deal that we graduate kids who show up my office unable to fill out a job application or pass a drug test, but when the PACT test has become such an obsession that it's now considered a higher priority than football season or condom distribution ... you know it's a real problem.
I'll bet THAT last sentence got your attention! I'm not sure about footballs and condoms, but if Mr. Rex would like to see the job application skills of high school graduates, I'd be more than happy to let him see what they turn in.
... I'll have more discussion about how we assess our state's student population next week, so please stay tuned.
Let's face it, too many teachers and adminstrators now "teach to the test" instead of preparing students for college, tech school, or life.
It is nonsense that we all pay for.
I was part of the group that pushed EIA. I regret that now. Our attempt to hold teachers and schools accountable has become a farce.
I think we should look at broader factors, like how many kids from high school get into a college or get gainful employment. We ought to bring businesses in and ask them what they need from the workforce and work with them to produce that in the classroom.
Same system, same results. Until we find someone with the cojones to really shake things up, we'll just get more of the same.
... and those who know how to work the system will get more money off of us, while we get nothing to show for it.
I'll tell you what. If you have the courage to actually post your REAL name on your comment. I will think about it. I think I was nice about my comment and tried to add something to Earl's discussion. Why don't you check out my blog. I took time off from the blog's for a reason.
To follow up on Brian's suggestion that we seek to get more into college, are you aware that of those over 25 in SC, only 24 percent have a four-year degree while the national average is in the low 40's. Sure, that rate nearly doubles when you account for those with two-year college degrees and certificates.
Education is often referred to as a panacea for all of society's ills -- health, crime, welfare, etc. It is an imperfect panacea. But we must reach more to pursue avenues towards higher education and cease the emphasis on legalistic knit-picking that is punative to some and makes teachers more follow-the-directions-or-you-are-toast-and- you-may-be-toast-anyway mindset that makes our best and brightest seek other fields.