The principal of School X has proposed a plan that would add an hour

Question

The principal of School X has proposed a plan that would add an hour-long study period to the end of the school day. She claims that the extension would improve the school's average score on the math section of the state assessment by allowing students more time to complete math homework that they wouldn't otherwise have time to complete.

Which of the following statement, if true, would most weaken the argument presented above?

(A) Math teachers of students in school X have noted an overall decline in the number of homework assignments completed by students since the school eliminated midday study period two years ago.

(B) Administrators from neighboring School Y recently implemented a school day extension and have seen no significant improvement in student test scores on the state assessment.

(C) Music department faculty members at School X strongly oppose the plan because they feel any time added to the school day should be used to bolster the music curriculum.

(D) Parents of student from School X have expressed concern that the proposed schedule change would interfere with students' extracurricular activities.

(E) The core components of School X's math curriculum are not aligned with the topics tested on the state math assessment.

Bunuel · Accepted Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

The principal of School X argues that giving students more time to complete their math homework would increase the school’s average math score on the state assessment. To weaken this argument, we need a statement that questions the connection between math homework and state assessment scores.

(A) This statement does not question the connection between math homework and state assessment scores. In fact, it could possibly support the argument by providing data that show there is a need for dedicated study time.

(B) While the lack of improvement at School Y seems to be compelling evidence against the argument presented, we don’t have enough information about School Y’s initiative to know whether School X would experience the same outcome. For example, it’s very possible that School Y used its additional time for activities other than math study, in which case the initiatives would not be comparable.

(C) The faculty members’ desire to have more time dedicated to the music curriculum has no bearing on whether more time to complete math homework would lead to higher test scores.

(D) The parents' concerns about the extended school day interfering with extracurricular activities has no bearing on whether more time to complete math homework would lead to higher test scores.

(E) CORRECT.  This statement weakens the argument by attacking the argument’s main assumption: if students do more math homework, they will score higher on the assessment. If the core curriculum is not aligned with the topics tested on the state assessment, then the amount of homework done by students is irrelevant.

aviator83 · Answer

a) Math teachers of students in school X have noted an overall decline in the number of homework assignments completed by students since the school eliminated midday study period two years ago. - may be the no.of assignments have increased over the period. poor kids..

b) Administrators from neighboring School Y recently implemented a school day extension and have seen no significant improvement in student test scores on the state assessment. -irrelevant c) Music department faculty members at School X strongly oppose the plan because they feel any time added to the school day should be used to bolster the music curriculum. -irrelevant d) Parents of student from School X have expressed concern that the proposed schedule change would interfere with students' extracurricular activities. - irrelevant e) The core components of School X's math curriculum are not aligned with the topics tested on the state math assessment. - no use extending an hour if its not going to serve the purpose. let the kids rather play. :-D

IMO E is correct.

Skywalker18 · Answer

The principal of School X has proposed a plan that would add an hour-long study period to the end of the school day. She claims that the extension would improve the school's average score on the math section of the state assessment by allowing students more time to complete math homework that they wouldn't otherwise have time to complete.

Type- weaken
The principal of School X argues that giving students more time to complete their math homework would increase the school’s average math score on the state assessment. To weaken this argument, we need a statement that questions the between math homework and state assessment scores.

a) Math teachers of students in school X have noted an overall decline in the number of homework assignments completed by students since the school eliminated midday study period two years ago. - This statement does not question the connection between math homework and state assessment scores. In fact, it could possibly support the argument by
providing data that show there is a need for dedicated study time.
b) Administrators from neighboring School Y recently implemented a school day extension and have seen no significant improvement in student test scores on the state assessment.-While the lack of improvement at School Y seems to be compelling evidence against the argument presented, we don’t have enough information about School Y’s initiative to know whether School X would experience the same outcome. For example, it’s very possible that School Y used its additional time for activities other than math study, in which case the initiatives would not be comparable
c) Music department faculty members at School X strongly oppose the plan because they feel any time added to the school day should be used to bolster the music curriculum. - The faculty members’ desire to have more time dedicated to the music curriculum has no bearing on whether more time to complete math homework would lead to higher test scores.
d) Parents of student from School X have expressed concern that the proposed schedule change would interfere with students' extracurricular activities. - The parents' concerns about the extended school day interfering with extracurricular activities has no bearing on whether more time to complete math homework would lead to higher test scores.
e) The core components of School X's math curriculum are not aligned with the topics tested on the state math assessment.- CORRECT. This statement weakens the argument by attacking the argument’s main assumption: if students do more math homework, they will score higher on the assessment. If the core curriculum is not aligned with the
topics tested on the state assessment, then the amount of homework done by students is irrelevant.

Answer E

Nightmare007 · Answer

In my India schools lengthen 2 hours for primary and middle school kids for completing home work and giving additional work which is responsible for state or National level sections such as IIT and AIEEE.
Well anyhow My go is E. Since it is the only option which directly weakens. :D

VerbalBot · Answer

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The principal of School X has proposed a plan that would add an hour

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