Standardization has been instrumental in facilitating groundbreaking and life-saving improvements in nearly every industry, process, and infrastructure on the planet. So why is this term a dirty word in education? Amy and Mike invited educator Mike McGibbon to describe how standardization can benefit education.

What are five things you will learn in this episode?

1. Where do we see the power of standardization in everyday life?

2. What lessons can we learn from the success of the intermodal shipping container?

3. Is standardization possible, or even desirable, in education?

4. What can John Snow and the London cholera outbreak of 1854 teach us about data, theory, and practice working together?

5. What would an ideal implementation of standardization in education look like?

MEET OUR GUEST

Mike McGibbon started tutoring at Kaplan while he was a student at UC Berkeley. After graduating in 2002, he moved to NYC to study music and play the trumpet professionally.

During this time, Mike also worked for several NYC tutoring agencies, and eventually transitioned to a full-time tutoring career. He now runs his own solo tutoring practice, focusing on the ACT, SAT, and ISEE. He is also CEO and co-founder of Mathchops.com, an adaptive math practice tool.

Today, Mike teaches in Westchester County, where he lives with his wife and three kids. He also provides free advice through articles and videos on www.nyctestprepadvice.com and the Mathchops YouTube channel.

Mike previously appeared on this podcast in episode 165 to discuss Differences Between SAT and ACT Math, episode 372 to explain Making Learning Science Work For You, and episode 332 for a SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: Mathchops.

Mike can be reached at [email protected].

LINKS

Standardized Education - Discourses on Learning in Education

Standardized Tests: The Benefits and Impacts of Implementing Standardized Tests

Can Education be Standardized? Evidence from Kenya

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THE UPSIDES OF RAPID CHANGES IN EDUCATION

WHERE MODERN EDUCATION FAILS

LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD

ABOUT THIS PODCAST

Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

ABOUT YOUR HOSTS

Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros. If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to get in touch through our contact page.