I tend to think the scantron/multiple choice tests that are so prevalent in many high schools are too much easier than having to come up with the term/date/name for a short answer/essay test-recognition versus recall plus explanation.
A couple years ago, I saw an 8th grade honors algebra test taped to the wall of the Mathnasuim while my son took the free initial evaluation. The student had scored a 100% on this �fill-in-the-blanks� exam. I really feel that the students could do much more, but that was the benchmark and they had aced it!
My son�s school offers the far other end of the spectrum. His 8th grade algebra 1 exams have more problems than he has ever seen on a math test, 60 plus extra credit. No calculators are allowed and the grading scale is 93 and above for an A with no partial credit. The teacher was very pleased that the class only had a 25% D and F rate as opposed to the usual 50% for the first test!
Now I know my son is (and has been for the previous two years) learning math well. However, I am concerned that his 92% B will be compared unfavorably to the more easily attained As that are the norm at the public schools.
