NYC Bans Dancing, Dinosaurs, Aliens and More on School Tests

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/out_o...0CQsccdZuL
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/20...ool-tests/

PC student tests forbid dance, dinos & lots more

By YOAV GONEN, Education Reporter
Last Updated: 10:46 AM, March 26, 2012
Posted: 2:41 AM, March 26, 2012
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EXCLUSIVE

In a bizarre case of political correctness run wild, educrats have banned references to “dinosaurs,” “birthdays,” “Halloween” and dozens of other topics on city-issued tests.

That’s because they fear such topics “could evoke unpleasant emotions in the students.”

Dinosaurs, for example, call to mind evolution, which might upset fundamentalists; birthdays aren’t celebrated by Jehovah’s Witnesses; and Halloween suggests paganism.

Even “dancing’’ is taboo, because some sects object. But the city did make an exception for ballet.

The forbidden topics were recently spelled out in a request for proposals provided to companies competing to revamp city English, math, science and social-studies tests given several times a year to measure student progress.

“Some of these topics may be perfectly acceptable in other contexts but do not belong in a city- or state-wide assessment,” the request reads.

Words that suggest wealth are excluded because they could make kids jealous. Poverty is likewise on the forbidden list.

Also banned are references to divorces and diseases, because kids taking the tests may have relatives who split from spouses or are ill.

Officials say such exclusions are normal procedure.

“This is standard language that has been used by test publishers for many years and allows our students to complete practice exams without distraction,” said a Department of Education spokeswoman, insisting it’s not censorship.

In fact, sensitivity guidelines recently published by a group of states creating new high-stakes exams also caution against mentioning luxuries, group dancing, junk food, homelessness or witches.

Yet a comparison shows the city’s list, at 50 topics, is nearly twice as long and has fewer exceptions.

The city asks test companies to exclude “creatures from outer space,” celebrities and excessive TV and video-game use — items that are OK elsewhere.

Homes with swimming pools and computers are also unmentionables here — because of economic sensitivities — while computers in the school or in libraries are acceptable.

City officials also specified that test makers shouldn’t include items that are potentially “disrespectful to authority or authority figures,” or give human characteristics to animals or inanimate objects.

Terrorism is deemed too scary. Slavery is also on the forbidden list.

Officials said there isn't an absolute ban on the items, in that they do get included on some exams on a case-by-case basis.

“The intent is to avoid giving offense or disadvantage any test takers by privileging prior knowledge,” said Robert Pondiscio, a spokesman for the Core Knowledge Foundation, an education group.

“But the irony is they’re eliminating some subjects, like junk food, holidays and popular music, that the broadest number of kids are likely to know quite a lot about.”

Columbia University Teachers College professor Deanna Kuhn said, “If the goal is to assess higher-order thinking skills, controversial topics, for example, ones that are the subject of political debate, are exactly what students should be reasoning about.”

yoav.gonen@nypost.com

 Spoiler

This can't be for real. I wonder if these people know that other countries crack up at US because of stuff like this. But honestly, if a person believes the world is a few thousand years old and that dinosaurs are a hoax then I wouldn't be surprised if they think America is the only continent on earth.

Religions and Sects... Im not suprised at all!

City officials also specified that test makers shouldn’t include items that are potentially “disrespectful to authority or authority figures,” or give human characteristics to animals or inanimate objects.

only part i agree with, death to the furries

Man, either people out of the united states (Satellite) are stupid or they don't read. See in the USA there are two types of governments, state and federal. This is a state change, notice city testing.

For example in my state, we don't have this law. That's why the whole "New York" thing is in there, which as of late, has been passing stupid sh`it like this lately.

only part i agree with, death to the furries

take a good hard look at your signature

Man, either people out of the united states (Satellite) are stupid or they don't read. See in the USA there are two types of governments, state and federal. This is a state change, notice city testing.

For example in my state, we don't have this law. That's why the whole "New York" thing is in there, which as of late, has been passing stupid sh`it like this lately.

Thank you, you aren't that smart either. I wasn't referring to this particular article only. I'm sure that if you take few mins to google around you will know what I mean.

Secondly, I'll quote myself here:

I wonder if these people know that other countries crack up at US because of stuff like this.

See. I wasn't saying all americans are stupid. But there's this fraction of really stupid that is often ruining the big picture.

Thank you. You aren't that smart either. I wasn't referring to this particular article only. I'm sure that if you take few mins to google around you will know what I mean.

Secondly, I wasn't saying all americans are stupid. But there's this fraction of really stupid that is often ruining the big picture.

if a person believes the world is a few thousand years old and that dinosaurs are a hoax then I wouldn't be surprised if they think America is the only continent on earth.

You can't speak ambiguously, then claim that this article isn't the reason you said what you said. Clearly based on the article and your response you are using this as a reference. I'm not sure if you've seen this video, but it's essentially your entire personality in a nut shell. Maybe you should take it to heart so you have a more* intelligent and less* repulsive opinion.

[video=youtube;VoHOUeTogtw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoHOUeTogtw[/video]

Just remember when you speak, you use words that attack the residents, not the government as well. I don't know if that's something you're unaware of or not.

How is the part you quoted in contradiction with what I said? It still isn't about Americans as a whole. And I have no idea why you brought atheism into this, but maybe you know better yourself. If you have need to discuss about religions or my worldview, I'll gladly do that with you, but in form of PMs.

How is the part you quoted in contradiction with what I said? It still isn't about Americans as a whole. And I have no idea why you brought atheism into this, but maybe you know better yourself. If you have need to discuss about religions or my worldview, I'll gladly do that with you, but in form of PMs.

these people know that other countries crack up at US united states?

Or the picture. Let me guess, you aren't part of the "other" countries.

I wasn't referring to this particular article only. I'm sure that if you take few mins to google around you will know what I mean

So you don't deny, just reinforce this isn't what creates your opinion. And come on satellite, what other group that you hate doesn't believe in dinosaurs and the age of Earth? lol

only part i agree with, death to the furries

Nah, all you need is for Westboro to begin hating on the furries and make a "GOD HATES FURRIES" website, and it'll be all golden.

On the law itself, let's see if another new law can top the absurdity that this one reaches.

Hope this doesn't come down south to New Jersey.

The paper on which these tests are being printed in the first place is most likely bleached white. Pure Aryan, fat Texan plantation-owner, KKK-uniform white. What ethnic minority wouldn't get offended at that? They should change the colour of any white test paper to something more neutral and less offensive. Like grey, but then they'd be offending aliens and chinchillas.

Also let us question the trivial motives of the OP some more.

take a good hard look at your signature

i could go on a somewhat lengthy explanation of why it doesn't count, but i'm tired, so i'll just say you're only correct 1/4 of the time :U

How about we ban the Dr. Pepper "I Exist" commercials while we're at it?

There's always someone who will be offended by any subject, it's impossible to ban everything.

Also, let's not bash on furries here. Not all of them are creepy (or wear fursuits) and even then you shouldn't care what other people want to do in bed. If anything, there's a lot of more creepy stuff going on on 4chan's /d/ and I don't see people bashing that.

Hey! I have an idea! Let's make stupid people more stupid!

Nothing can go wrong!