The Telegraph included an article last week on a new grade letter (A*) for British A Levels. The grade A* will be used for those who score in the 90th percentile on exams and will affect university admissions beginning around 2011 or 2012. It appears to be very controversial, with some institutions saying it will dramatically affect their entrance admissions while others saying that it should be studied and tested before being emphasized. Read more at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/5007125/Universities-split-over-new-A-grades.html
Handouts for this year’s annual AACRAO conference are already being posted online at http://handouts.aacrao.org/am09/display.php
I believe the intent is to post the handouts prior to the conference so that attendees can check them out before traveling to a) determine if they need to print the handouts & bring them with them, b) save on paper for the presenters, and c) save on luggage weight for both presenters and attendees. I know I’ve shipped home a box (or two) of nothing but handouts and/or books picked up at the last few national conferences I’ve attended.
Go, AACRAO!
The Korea Times and other local papers highlighted today’s government announcment that it intends to develop a new test that will hopefully replace much of the TOEFL exam volume in South Korea. As announced by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, one purpose of the new test is to reduce the amount of money people spend on private cram schools and language institutes. The new test, tentatively named the State English Aptitude Test, will be modeled on Japan’s EIKEN test, which has earned international recognition. ”We believe, as long as we can develop a quality test, many overseas schools will accept it,” said Education Minister Ahn Byoung Man. He further stated that he expects the new test to replace TOEIC and TOEFL in university admissions and job applications. The government will run pilot tests between 2010 and 2011 before formally introducing the new test in 2012.
from: http://blog.educationusa.or.kr/2008/12/korean-version-of-toefl-to-debut-in-2012/
There have been some interesting discussions about Facebook recently. We’re not terribly excited about Facebook, but it’s definitely worth a read since social networking is becoming more prevalent, not less.
http://www.allfacebook.com/2009/02/facebook-privacy/
http://insidetimshead.wordpress.com/2009/02/18/how-social-should-social-media-be/
http://myusearchblog.com/facebook-protect-your-privacy-during-your-college-search
http://www.nafsa.org/member_services.ms/member_interest_groups/sig_it
http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/016/256implp.asp
Updates to the website are moving slowly due to committments with other organizations, but we’ve added some of our favorite links to a new page of that name. Help keep us up-to-date by recommending your favourite regular links! Soon, we’ll be adding info on mailing lists as well.