1 1

Buy 3, Get 1 Free! Promo Code: BUY3GET1

Blue Vase Books

The Big Test: The Secret History of the American Meritocracy

The Big Test: The Secret History of the American Meritocracy

Author: Lemann

$5.99
$5.99
Sale Sold out

Condition: Good

In stock

The widely acclaimed study of what's gone wrong in American higher education.

What do we know about the history, origin, design, and purpose of the SAT? Who invented it, and why? How did it acquire such a prominent and lasting position in American education? The Big Test reveals the ideas, people, and politics behind a fifty-year-old utopian social experiment that changed this country. Combining vibrant storytelling, vivid portraiture, and thematic analysis, Lemann shows why this experiment did not turn out as planned. It did create a new elite, but it also generated conflict and tension--and America's best educated, most privileged people are now leaders without followers.

Drawing on unprecedented access to the Educational Testing Service's archives, Lemann maintains that America's meritocracy is neither natural nor inevitable, and that it does not apportion opportunity equally or fairly. His important study not only asks profound moral and political questions about the past and future of our society but also carries implications for current social and educational policy. As Brent Staples noted in his New York Times editorial column: "Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts announced that prospective students would no longer be required to submit SAT scores with their applications. . . . Holyoke's president, Joanne Creighton, was personally convinced by reading Nicholas Lemann's book, The Big Test, which documents how the SAT became a tool for class segregation."

All students of education, sociology, and recent U.S. history--especially those focused on testing, theories of learning, social stratification, or policymaking--will find this book fascinating and alarming.

ISBN: 0374527512

31UTLL002OIP_ns

Note on Condition

Most of the items in our store are used. The items condition is indicated at the top of the product page. Please refer to the following condition notes:

  • Used - Good: The item shows wear from consistent use, but it remains in good condition and works perfectly. All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May NOT include discs, access code or other supplemental materials.

  • Used- Acceptable: The item is very worn but continues to work perfectly. Signs of wear can include aestetic issues such as scratches, dents, worn and creased covers, folded page corners, and minor liquid stains. All pages and the cover are intact, but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include moderate to heavy amount of notes and highlighting, but the text is not obscured or unreadable. Page edges may have foxing (age related spots and browning). May NOT include discs, access code or other supplemental materials.

  • Used-Ex-Library (Good/Acceptable): Former library book with the usual stamps, stickers, and labels. See Good/Acceptable notes for more detail.

  • Used- Very Good: Book has little sign of wear or use

  • New- Brand new, unread book

Shipping & Local Pick Up

Shipping: Most orders are shipped within 24 hours. Please allow 4-14 days after the item has shipped for delivery. Faster shipping is available for purchase at checkout.

Local Pick Up: Orders will be available for pick up within 24 hours. Pick up at the front desk Thursday-Sunday 10am-6pm .After hours pick ups are available Monday-Wednesday 7am-3pm at the Shipping & Receiving entrance.

View full details