I'm looking forward to your stop in Lincoln. I had coincidentally pre-ordered from Francie and Finch a month ago. It's all coming together now. If I could only say the same thing about the Royals. Haha.
I've always liked that Nirvana song. Have you heard their pre-Nevermind studio recorded Leadbelly covers? Great stuff. This one has that classic Cobain build up.
I had a similar experience up to a point. The Catholic schools in Decatur also used that test. After I maxed out the ITBS, I took the SAT in junior high and got somewhere around 1300. However, because I just put it on cruise control in junior high, I never learned how to study or develop self-discipline. When I left for IMSA my sophomore year, I was not prepared for the faster pace and greater rigor, cracked under the pressure and dropped out.
Raw intelligence is useful. Hard work, kindness, humility, and the ability & willingness to build community are far more important in creating a fulfilling life.
Also! I had the wrong location in this newsletter: It's Anderson's in Downers Grove, not Naperville. Will correct in next week's newsletter. (I'm sure this happens to Beyonce all the time.)
One of the things I remember about our Iowa Tests in NJ was the teachers telling us that because it was multiple choice, if we didn't know an answer to fill in SOMETHING, because it was better than leaving it blank. I know think of that as relating to how the tests help determine school budgets from the state ...
Yeah, one thing kids consistently don't really understand one of the reasons there's so much pressure being put on them is because administrators are worried about the SCHOOL as much as they are them. (Which, in a macro sense, I do understand the importance. But it all ends up landing on the kids.)
Yup, the ITBS (Iowa Test of Basic Skills). Took it in grade school in Ohio in the 60s (was a 99th percentile kid like you, rode that all through school like you, ditto the SAT. And like you, didn’t think I was necessarily the smartest, just good at tests.) It was still in use when I worked at the public school district in Austin in the 80s. Standardized tests have done a lot of good and probably a lot of harm, but that’s a discussion for another time. The Big Test by Nicholas Lemann is a good book on the subject.
Iowa Basics... pretty sure those out me on the above average potential, below average motivation path.
Also, Anderson’s in Naperville! I traveled from WI down there several times since they were a part of big festivities my kids loved as new Harry Potter books were released. Absolutely fantastic bookstore. Great choice and hope to make it!
I'm looking forward to your stop in Lincoln. I had coincidentally pre-ordered from Francie and Finch a month ago. It's all coming together now. If I could only say the same thing about the Royals. Haha.
The book event will definitely be better than the Royals!
Will, I still remember Vegas because my friend was a co-owner and I put in about 70% of the mix CDs in their jukebox!
Ha! That's fantastic. I used that jukebox a LOT.
Will, you just described my feelings growing up in Monticello IL.
I've learned since I wrote this newsletter that the Iowa Tests were used EVERYWHERE, not just us in Central Illinois ...
I've always liked that Nirvana song. Have you heard their pre-Nevermind studio recorded Leadbelly covers? Great stuff. This one has that classic Cobain build up.
Ain't It a Shame - https://youtu.be/lNaWft7x5KM
Oh, have I EVER heard it. That's my favorite song of those too.
I had a similar experience up to a point. The Catholic schools in Decatur also used that test. After I maxed out the ITBS, I took the SAT in junior high and got somewhere around 1300. However, because I just put it on cruise control in junior high, I never learned how to study or develop self-discipline. When I left for IMSA my sophomore year, I was not prepared for the faster pace and greater rigor, cracked under the pressure and dropped out.
Raw intelligence is useful. Hard work, kindness, humility, and the ability & willingness to build community are far more important in creating a fulfilling life.
Hear, hear, to all of this. (Were you St. Theresa?)
In my freshman year and my brothers graduated from there. I finished up at Warrensburg-Latham.
Thanks for the heads up.
Looking forward to seeing you in Naperville, Will. I truly enjoyed How Lucky and I'm looking forward to The Time Has Come.
And the Iowa tests were flat out wrong. I'm glad I'm older and didn't have to go through that...
Also! I had the wrong location in this newsletter: It's Anderson's in Downers Grove, not Naperville. Will correct in next week's newsletter. (I'm sure this happens to Beyonce all the time.)
One of the things I remember about our Iowa Tests in NJ was the teachers telling us that because it was multiple choice, if we didn't know an answer to fill in SOMETHING, because it was better than leaving it blank. I know think of that as relating to how the tests help determine school budgets from the state ...
Yeah, one thing kids consistently don't really understand one of the reasons there's so much pressure being put on them is because administrators are worried about the SCHOOL as much as they are them. (Which, in a macro sense, I do understand the importance. But it all ends up landing on the kids.)
Yup, the ITBS (Iowa Test of Basic Skills). Took it in grade school in Ohio in the 60s (was a 99th percentile kid like you, rode that all through school like you, ditto the SAT. And like you, didn’t think I was necessarily the smartest, just good at tests.) It was still in use when I worked at the public school district in Austin in the 80s. Standardized tests have done a lot of good and probably a lot of harm, but that’s a discussion for another time. The Big Test by Nicholas Lemann is a good book on the subject.
I’ve always meant to read that!
Iowa Basics... pretty sure those out me on the above average potential, below average motivation path.
Also, Anderson’s in Naperville! I traveled from WI down there several times since they were a part of big festivities my kids loved as new Harry Potter books were released. Absolutely fantastic bookstore. Great choice and hope to make it!
Yeah, and we're having an event at the brewery just next door afterward as well!
I thought the two NY Mag pieces were great!
Austin yes! Hope to see you there!
Awesome! Hoping to get it nailed down too!