The context:
An article about the Collegiate Learning Assessment, one of I presume a number of standardized measures of critical thinking.
The comment:
“Never have so many fought for so little that benefits so few! The Bush sold the war is the same way administrations sell assessment. Lies, distortions, made up data, packaging, and humbug!”
The explanation:
First of all, my hats off to the commenter for titling his comment with the term “ass-ass-ment”. I have no idea what point it tries to communicate, but it uses the word “ass” not once but twice in a single word/pun/whatever, so that’s double bonus points.
So here’s the thing with assessment: You use up resources that we could spend elsewhere. Show me what I get in return for investing in you instead of investing in something else. If “it’s not really possible to *articulate* in concrete terms” what it is you do, then you must just be full of shit and don’t do much of anything useful. If a freaking classical studies department can put together concrete student learning outcomes (I’ve seen it), then any one can. That’s how I “sell” assessment.
As to the “Lies, distortions, made up data, packaging, and humbug”… Well, you’ve got me on the humbug. I’ve got no clue what to do with that. But for any lies, distortions, made up data, or packaging, here’s a suggestion: put up (you know the alternative). There’s a real easy way to call out someone on dishonesty or spin – publicly show data to the contrary. It’s that simple. Doing that requires one of three responses on the part of the call-out-ee. First, they can bluff with more data, and eventually it just gets amusing. I love it when that happens, because I enjoy being amused. Second, they can look at your data, look at theirs, and decide that they’re wrong. I hear that happens, though I have no personal experience with the matter. Finally, they can look at your data, look at theirs, and explain why theirs is right and you have no idea what you are talking about. I’m pretty sure that happens on a fairly regular basis.
Last piece of advice: if you want to get into this particular pissing contest, make sure you don’t bring a slide rule to a supercomputer fight.
