Another step toward mediocrity

The University of California signaled its intention to become a haven of mediocrity by withdrawing from the National Merit Scholarship program: UCLA Chancellor Albert Carnesale said some UC chancellors initially might have harbored concerns that, if they scrapped the National Merit program, they would lose out on talented students and be punished in the rankings … Continue reading “Another step toward mediocrity”

The University of California signaled its intention to become a haven of mediocrity by withdrawing from the National Merit Scholarship program:

UCLA Chancellor Albert Carnesale said some UC chancellors initially might have harbored concerns that, if they scrapped the National Merit program, they would lose out on talented students and be punished in the rankings published by such magazines as U.S. News & World Report. He called the decision “another move in the direction of doing what you think makes the most sense rather than be concerned about what it will mean for the rankings.”

Elaine S. Detweiler, a spokeswoman for the nonprofit National Merit Scholarship Corp. in Evanston, Ill., dismissed speculation by Carnesale and other academics that some of the 200 other participating universities might follow UC’s path. Detweiler called the PSAT “the most equitable way” to identify academically talented students from around the country, noting that the same exam is given to students at 22,000 high schools in all 50 states.

“We regret that finalists in the extremely competitive National Merit program who may wish to attend a UC campus will no longer have the opportunity to earn a Merit Scholarship sponsored by the university and, more importantly, receive the recognition for academic excellence that accompanies a Merit Scholarship,” she said.

Other defenders of the National Merit program, including other universities that actively recruit the winners and the winning students themselves, say it remains a helpful way to identify talented candidates even if the selection process is flawed. Some have pointed out, for example, that students are less likely to have taken test preparation courses before the PSAT than before the SAT.

The message is very clear: smart kids better avoid UC.

9 thoughts on “Another step toward mediocrity”

  1. An interesting article about mediocrity taken to the nth degree:

    Being Nothing

    It may be a bit intellectual for you taste, but I’d be curious to know your response.
    I’m a big fan of Peter Sellers & loved him in Hal Ashby’s film.

  2. No you aren’t.

    But don’t worry, I didn’t read it, just skimmed a little – I’m working and can’t handle anything too demanding of the brain cells right now.

  3. Hey, good to hear you’re working.
    My brother-in-law has been out of work for almost three years. Remember that recent Fortune magazine cover–about how guys who loose their jobs after 50 might as well consider themselves ‘retired’? Well, that’s him.

  4. I’ve been working for the last two years without a break. The jobs I’ve had after 50 have been the most interesting ones of my career, and weren’t hard to come by. I don’t understand these people who claim to be all washed up at such a young age, but I suppose they’re either burnt out or haven’t kept up with the state of the art.

    The period after the Clinton bubble burst was hard on everybody, of course, but that’s one reason Bernie Ebbers is going to spend the rest of his life in prison.

  5. Are you self-employed? My brother-in-law (a corporate tax lawyer) wants full-time employement, isn’t interested in contract labor. But, truth be told, he’s lazy.

    My late uncle lost his regular job after 50–all he could get was contract labor (he was an engineer), some years he made more thna what he would at a regular job, other years much less. No benefits. Fortunately his wife had a stable position as an executive secretary for an oil company (Houston), with good beneifits. He died several months ago of brain cancer. Two major surgeries, chemo, etc. Even with her excellent insurance, they went broke. She’s hoping to keep the job long as she can, but she’s 67. Most of his life insurance money went to medical bills. She’s trying to sell their house now.

    Anyway, glad you’re enjoying work better than ever. Hopefully, more companies will wise up & see what an asset they have in their 50-plus workers. Maturity, focus, wisdom, experience.

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