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Note:
You must use iThink/STELLA 8 to view
this month's story:
Download Story of the Month -
Windows Macintosh
The
Story of the Month
by Steve Peterson
Are exit exams boosting dropout rates?
A USA Today article that I came across while on travels during the month of
June motivates this month's story. The article asks whether there is a link
between exit exams and an increase in dropout rates in high schools. The
article indicates that while there is no really conclusive evidence, critics
think, "...Tests drive out students and make the dropout problem worse. And now
many observers fear that President Bush's No Child Left Behind education reform
law could mean even more dropouts..."
Designing effective education policy is fraught with difficulty. While in
concept, a policy of exit exams would seem to be reasonable; it may well have
some difficulties in practice that would undermine its effectiveness. This
month's story looks at three key feedback loops that can be brought into play
by a policy of exit exams for students. Two of these loops may do more harm
than good...
Note:
You must use iThink/STELLA 8 to view
this month's story:
Download Story of the Month - Windows
Macintosh
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About this Feature
The Story of the Month feature came
about in response to the unexpected death of our dear friend, mentor, and
colleague Donella Meadows in the winter of 2001. Dana was extremely gifted in
many areas of life. She was a superb teacher, a gifted writer, and an incisive
systems thinker. She had a profoundly positive impact on the lives of those she
touched through her writing, her speaking, and her personal interactions.
Like Dana, Barry Richmond was a superb teacher, a gifted writer, and an
incisive systems thinker whose impact on the lives he touched was profound.
Like Dana, Barry had a rich set of skills to accompany his passion for applying
a systems perspective to the pressing issues of our day. Like Dana, Barry's
passing was unexpected - leaving a void that will not soon be filled.
The HPS Story of the Month is a tribute to the legacies of Barry and Dana. Each
month's story, told using the iThink/STELLA software, applies systems thinking
in a practical way to some issue in the headlines. Stories are based on small
(1-page) maps or models, in keeping with Barry's and Dana's gift for making
points clearly and succinctly.
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About the Author
Steve Peterson is Principal of The
Peterson Group, a consulting firm based in West Lebanon, NH. Steve's current
work revolves around three major focal areas:
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Workshop design and delivery, using the Systems Thinking framework to address
strategic, organizational, and operational issues.
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Client-specific project work. With current clients in Financial Services,
Consulting, Military, Pharmaceuticals, and Automotive industries, Steve's
project work focuses on the design and development of simulation models in
topic areas such as strategy, personnel, finance, operations, marketing, and
process-improvement.
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Design and development of customized simulation model-based applications.
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Steve has over 20 years experience in
the practical application of Systems Thinking and System Dynamics in business,
education, and government. He has led over 100 training sessions focused on the
Systems Thinking approach and the iThink / STELLA software. He has extensive
experience in the design and development of simulation-based learning
environments. He has developed numerous simulation models addressing a wide
array of topics and issues in business and in education.
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