University Daily Kansan / Wednesday, September 24, 1986
9
Departments suggest dropping proposal for competency tests Professors say exams would be costly
By ATLE BIORGE
Staff writer
As a result of the latest round of statements and recommendations, new undergraduates in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences might not be tested on their English and algebra abilities as had been proposed.
Both the department of English and the department of mathematics this week recommended to a college committee that competency testing be eliminated from consideration. The testing would have affected from 4,000 to 5,000 students each year.
If the testing proposal stands, new undergraduates would take a competency examination as a part of the final exam in ENGL 101 and MATH 101 or 102.
Transfer students would have to pass that examination before they could begin their coursework at the University.
If students failed the exam, they would be required to enroll immediately in appropriate English or mathematics classes, the proposal states. For example, students who failed the English competency exam would have enrolled in ENGL. 359
The Committee on Undergraduate Studies and Advising decided yesterday to present the recommendation to the College Assembly for a vote at the next meeting on Oct. 7. All faculty members have a seat in the assembly.
Competency testing was first approved in spring 1984 by the assembly as a part of the college curriculum changes that are set to go into effect next fall.
Among other changes, freshmen will enroll successively in English and mathematics classes until they have fulfilled degree requirements.
After discussion, the assembly last spring asked the departments of mathematics and English what they thought about the testing proposal.
Felix Moos, professor of anthropology and chairman of the committee, did not know whether the assembly would follow the recommendation of the departments but said it looked to the committee for leadership.
Robert Lineberry, dean of the college, said some faculty obviously supported the testing because a majority of the assembly voted for it before.
"Many people have argued for testing, but the departments of English and mathematics have raised some serious questions about it," he said.
Professors in the two departments said competency testing didn't seem as good when they took a closer look.
Haskell Springer, director of the freshman-sophomore English program, said he had been in favor of testing when it was first proposed.
"It seemed to be a good idea at the time," he said. "All students ought to be competent in writing. That's a good idea, isn't it?"
The question is whether testing is the best way to achieve that goal, he said.
The recommendation from the English department points out the problems of making standardized tests, of staffing up to 70 more sections of ENGL 359 for those who fail the competency test and of finding funds. Testing could cost up to $200,000 each year, the English department predicted.
Philip Montgomery, associate professor of mathematics and member of the committee, said that he thought a competency test sounded like a good idea but that he had never seen one.
"I wouldn't be too sure if present MATH 115 students would pass an algebra proficiency test," he said.
The recommendation from the mathematics department stated that the material covered in all algebra courses at KU and other universities have little in common, so making a fair test would be difficult, according to Montgomery.
"The best demonstration of proficiency is to get through a course and pass it," he said.
United Press International
Hayden, Docking hurl criticisms at each other in forum face-off
TOPEKA — Political potshots filled the air yesterday in a face-off between Republican Mike Hayden and Democrat Tom Docking before the Topeka businessand political community.
The candidates have disclosed informal totals of recent campaign receipts and spending, indicating that Docking has received slightly over $1 million since the beginning of the campaign and has spent more than $828,000. The figures indicate Hayden has received more than $717,000 and has spent more than $540,000.
"Just because you've got the most money does not mean you'll win." Hayden said, citing his victory in a seven-way primary.
Hayden repeated his prediction that he would be outspent in the general election, as he was in the primary.
The gubernatorial candidates appeared in the third of four scheduled forums sponsored by a member of Commerce and Industry.
The forum came a day after Hayden, a Republican, held a news conference and accused Democrat Docking of waging a "campaign of deceit" against him over the issue of grain sales to South Africa. Although that subject did not come up yesterday, there were enough other points for them to disagree upon.
"That says something good about Kansas."
Docking, the lieutenant governor, hammered at his theme of progress and innovation versus satisfaction with the status quo. Docking repeatedly portrayed Hayden, the Kansas Speaker of the House, as an opponent of progress, based on Hayden's legislative record. Docking cited issues of multibank holding, liquor by the drink and pari-mutu gambling among issues that Hayden has opposed.
"We can be progressive and accept change or we can accept the traditional resistance to change and hope to muddle through," the Democrat said, adding that the future of Kansas is at stake.
A member of the audience asked the candidates what they would do as governor to offset economic setbacks from possible failure of constitutional amendments to legalize liquor by the drink, pari-mutuel gambling and a state lottery.
Hayden said he was convinced the amendments would pass and that he would work with the Legislature to implement them in "clean" proper form, particularly to ensure that organized crime does not benefit from gambling.
Docking warned against complacency that the issues would receive easy voter approval in November, and he questioned Havden's support of the issues.
If you have not read the papers,
that might have sounded like an endorsement of those issues." Docking said of Hayden's remarks.
Docking said Hayden opposed the liquor and pari-mutuel issues and planned to vote against them.
"Beware those who are quietly in opposition."Docking said.
Hayden accused Docking of saying different things to different audiences on the question of whether Washburn University should be made a part of the Board of Regents system. Hayden pointed out that he was financing plans to bring the municipal university under state control.
“In Topeka, he says Washburn is a great place.” Hayden said of Docking. “In Hutchinson, he says we can't afford to take it into the system.”
Docking disputed the Republican's comment.
"We are asked often, and contrary to what you've heard, the same answer issues from my ignorance of where I am," he said.
Loan plan works well, Finney says
Although Docking said the university was valuable and would have to come into the regents system, he qualified the statement, saying he is concerned about the ability of the state to finance it. He said he would have an open mind, but would not advocate a state takeover until the state makes sure it can afford the acquisition.
The Associated Press
TOPEKA — In a first-year review of Kansas' low-interest loan program for farmers and small businesses, state Treasurer Joan Finney yesterday called the program successful and urged that it be continued.
At Finney's instigation, the state Pooled Money Investment Board began to make state idle funds available to economically-distressed farmers and small business owners in September 1985 through their banks at interest rates below the going commercial rates.
The most recent interest rate of offered to qualifying borrowers was 7 percent, Finney said.
That means under the latest offering, the state provided banks the money at 4-percent interest, and the banks made it available to qualifying borrowers at 7 percent.
Under the program, banks are allowed to add three percentage points to the loan rate they get from the state to pay for their costs of servicing the loans and to allow them a modest return.
"The risk factor for the banks on these loans is less because borrowers can repay 7-percent loans but have great difficulty paying a 15-percent loan rate under current market conditions." said Finney, a Democrat who is seeking re-election in the Nov. 4 general election.
"The program is designed to sustain agriculture producers and small businessmen until the agricultural economy improves."
Farmers are eligible for maximum loans of $50,000 if 70 percent or more of their gross income comes from farming or ranching operations. Small businesses can get up to $200,000 in one loan if they have less than 100 employees.
The money is made available to banks on a first-come, first-serve basis. Those seeking the loan money apply to the banks that seek it from the state. The banks make all the credit decisions and pledge securities to the state in case of bank failure.
In the four times the Pooled Money Investment Board has offered the loan capital during the past year, 133 Kansas banks have taken some of the money to make the loans.
Noting that Kansas will have a new governor next January — either Democrat Tom Docking or Republican Mike Hayden — Finney said she hoped he would continue the program.
Since Sept. 1, 1985, the board has made $61 million available for the loan program, including $25.5 million on Sept. 1 this year.
The Pooled Money Investment Board is made up of the state treasurer, who is chairman, and two members appointed by the governor. No more than two people can belong to the same political party.
Finney said 1,337 loans had gone to farmers and 150 to small businesses under the program.
when Finney first proposed the program in July 1985. Gov John Carlin publicly questioned its value, but his Democratic appointee on the board, Economic Development Secretary Jamie Schwartz, eventually voted for it. Carlin's Republican appointee, Clayton McMurray of Topeka, voted against it.
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