<p>So the idea of having standardized testing at the university level has now reared its head. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/09/education/09testing.html?_r=1&oref=slogin%5B/url%5D">http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/09/education/09testing.html?_r=1&oref=slogin</a> I'm sure there's already been a thread. I'm posting because I so love one of the letters today's Times printed on the subject: </p>
<p>To the Editor:</p>
<p>Jonathan Grayer, the chief executive of Kaplan Inc., a test-coaching company, promotes the idea of expanding standardized testing in college in his capacity as a member of a federal commission on postsecondary education.</p>
<p>Perhaps "identify the conflicts of interest in this scenario" could be a useful item in the critical-thinking section of such a test. </p>
<p>Just a suggestion.</p>
<p>Michael Newman
Flushing, Queens, Feb. 9, 2006
The writer is an associate professor of linguistics at Queens College, CUNY.</p>