z43\doc\web\2000\07\elastic.txt
George N. Schmidt [Csubstance@AOL.COM]


In a message dated 6/30/00 12:58:32 PM, ArthurH@TANGIS.COM writes:


<< The elastic clause allows


Congress to make any laws necessary to execute its powers, which


include establishing an army and navy. It serves to give the federal


government more power and flexibility, Breckel said.  [Why the heck


are they even asking kids about the elastic clause???]


 >>


For some reason, the "elastic clause" is becoming a favorite of test item
writers. The first time I saw it was on the Chicago CASE (Chicago Academic
Standards) Pilot Form B test in January 1999 on the following item from U.S.
History (first semester).


17. Which of the following is an example of how the Constitution of the
United States is a changeable document?
A. the use of the elastic clause to enact social security legislation
B. legal suits against tobacco companies
C. the trade agreement between China and the United States
D. federal investigations into campaign spending


Of course, the above test item is secret (for publishing it, we have been sued
 for more than $1 million for "copyright infringement" by Chicago's school
board), so you don't know that it was first observed here in Chicago, since
you can't have read that above.


But, as I said, some types of test items take on a life of their own.


It's certainly good that in some states (including New York) people can
publicly view and discuss test items without getting fired (me) or sued for
$1 million (me and the newspaper Substance) by a bunch of test-crazed
megalomaniacal lunatics (Chicago's current municipal government and school
board).*


I suspect that as people compare items, they will find that certain things
are in fashion (and that there is probably some cribbing going on
state-to-state and test-to-test).


George Schmidt


* By the way, the brother of our not-very-literate mayor is now campaign
manager for Al Gore, so watch out, America!


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