AcmeShorts

Kids today are incredibly media-savvy. They use the Internet more than any prior generation, and have access to an almost unlimited selection of news and information. And more than any other age group, minors demonstrate a natural acumen for multitasking. I am amazed by my daughter's ability to talk on her cell phone, instant message her pals and do her homework all at the same time!

Unfortunately, testing standards have not kept up with technology. Old yardsticks like reading comprehension and arithmetic are still being used to measure academic achievement in a generation that has grown up with calculators and spellchecking. More appropriate diagnostics need to be developed, especially in the language arts. It goes without saying that a mastery of skillsets like scanning and the use of bullets and other chunking tools is a better indicator of professional success than algebra or analogies!

Youngsters who underperform on today's standardized diagnostic surveys are unfairly marginalized into remedial classrooms. Studies show that these alienated souls can look forward only to a lifetime of below-average incomes, low self-esteem and social disenfranchisement. This is too heavy a punishment for failing to master outdated skillsets. But they have not failed these unfair tests: we as parents and educators have failed them.