Word: hoffmann
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Dates: during 1960-1969
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Essentially Mr. Hoffmann attempts to prove that the multiple choice question discriminates against the mind that is exceptionally subtle. He claims that the questions on this sort of test are fraught with ambiguity--that all too often, more than one of the suggested answers can be shown to be correct. When the gifted student perceives such a situation, Mr. Hoffmann-argues, his indecision about finding the correct answer, he is reduced to deciding what answer seems best to the examiners...
...weaknesses in Mr. Hoffmann's case result from his inability to make a convincing argument that defective questions are as ubiquitous as he threatens they are, and from his failure to explain his belief that the presence of even a few defective questions will hamper the performance of superior students on the remainder of the examination. On this last point he seems to ignore the possibility that the superior student might recognize the defective question for what it is skip it, and forget about it. All we hear from him is that dire consequences will necessarily befall the student...
...Hoffmann admits, there is no possible alternative to standardized testing. He does not want to abolish the system; he would be content with improving it. His suggestion as to how this can be done is the classic one for a man who has searched, but seen no answers--Dr. Hoffmann wants to form a committee to study the problem...
...Hoffmann charged that the Administration had brought this dilemma on itself through its "willful blindness" toward de Gaulle's policies for Europe. "Since 1961 the Administration has known that de Gaulle and Kennedy were at opposite ends" on many European issues, but the U.S. "dedicated to do nothing about...
...Hoffmann suggested that the Administration should now "start talking with the French, any try to meet them halfway." He stressed that the ultimate purposes of both countries remain the same: the neutralization of German militarism and the prevention of a new war. "This is a fine disagreement over methods; it should be patched up, especially since neither side...