George,

The New Haven firefighters case that is now before the Supreme Court hinges on a promotion test given in 2004. The fact that no African-Americans were among the top 15 scorers could be interpreted in two ways: 1) The test was biased in a way that made it difficult for African-Americans to do well, or 2) none of the African-Americans applying for promotion had the aptitude, personal skills and knowledge of firefighting necessary to be a lieutenant or captain.

First, it should be made clear that, according to the CWH testing service whose test was used, no part of the test "attempted to measure specific skills that are taught on the job such as Firefighting/Law Enforcement officer techniques, methods, or knowledge." CWH goes on to say: "the tests both measure a person's aptitude or ability to learn the technical aspects of the job, as well as the other human aspects, such as communication skills and getting along with others."

I have looked at the sample questions in the CWH study guide for 2003 and most of them are much like the SAT. In other words, those who had the advantage of going to a good high school, or the funds to have at least some college education would be at a major advantage taking this test.

Below are some example questions. As you will see (facetiously), the people of New Haven can rest more securely knowing that the officers in their fire department have the aptitude to answer these questions. Again, knowledge of how to put out fires was not part of the test.

David RePass (Electronic mail, April 23, 2009)

Reading Comprehension

Questions 5 - 8 refer to the following reading passage.

The emotional abilities children acquire in later life build on those of the earliest years. And these abilities are the essential foundation for all learning. Successful learning is not predicted by how many facts a person knows or the ability to read so much as by emotional and social measures: being self-assured and interested; knowing what kind of behavior is expected and how to rein in the impulse to behave poorly; being able to wait, to follow directions, and to turn to others for help; and expressing needs while getting along with others.

 

A child's emotional abilities depend on the most basic of all knowledge, how to learn. There are seven key ingredients of this crucial capacity - all related to emotional intelligence:

 

Confidence. A sense of control and mastery of one's body, behavior, and world; the child's sense that he is more likely than not to succeed at what he undertakes, and that adults will be helpful.

Curiosity. The sense that finding out about things is positive and leads to pleasure.

Intentionality. The wish and capacity to have an impact, and to act upon that with persistence. This is related to a sense of competence, of being effective.

Self-control. The ability to modulate and control one's own actions in age-appropriate ways; a sense of inner control.

Relatedness. The ability to engage with others based on the sense of being understood by and understanding others.

Capacity to Communicate. The wish and ability to verbally exchange ideas, feelings, and concepts with others. This is related to a sense of trust in others and of pleasure in engaging with others, including adults.

Cooperativeness. The ability to balance one's own needs with those of others in group activity.

5. According to this passage, which of the following is true?

1) The ability to read is not important to a child's successful learning.
2) A child's level of emotional intelligence is highly related to how well she can control her impulses.
3) Emotional intelligence is learned early in life and does not change once adulthood is reached.
4) A child's level of emotional intelligence is independent of the child's ability to learn in school.

6. Sara is selling chocolate bars to raise money for the school's new gymnasium. The first ten people she asks refuse to buy any chocolate. According to this passage, she should:

1) Think of other ways to make money for the new gymnasium instead of continuing to fail.
2) Stop trying to sell the chocolate since she has been unsuccessful.
3) Freely vent her frustration to other students who are selling more candy.
4) Believe that she will begin to sell more chocolate if she remains positive and keeps trying.

7. A class is attending a science fair at which there are several new scientific inventions. As the children walk past the displays, one of the students, Joseph, talks to the other students about topics not related to the science fair. When he is not talking, he is watching all the people around him. Based on the information in this passage, what do you think about Joseph's behavior?

1) He is balancing his need to socialize with the need to let other students enjoy the science fair.
2) He is lacking self-control because he does not like the science fair.
3) He seems to lack a natural curiosity and appreciation for learning about new things.
4) He only feels understood if he is talking about himself.

8. A school counselor notices that a young student named Marisha is a loner. She only speaks when someone speaks to her first. During lunch and in classes, she sits by herself. Which of the seven key ingredients for being able to learn does Marisha seem to be missing?

1) Confidence
2) Curiosity
3) Intentionality
4) Self-Control
5) Relatedness
6) Capacity to Communicate
7) Cooperativeness

Mathematical Skills

You will not be allowed to use a calculator on the test.

18. A piece of rope is 50 feet in length. It is found that the rope shrank by 10% when it got wet. After drying, the rope was stretched 5% longer than its wet length. How long is the rope after it is stretched?

1) 57.50 feet
2) 55.00 feet
3) 47.50 feet
4) 47.25 feet

Situational Questions

These questions measure a variety of skills, including problem solving, decision making, judgment, as well as many other relevant skills. Try to place yourself in each situation, or remember a situation you have been in that was similar to the one described, and choose the response (or responses) that you think is best. If none of the answers is exactly what you would do, or what you think would be best, choose the answer (or answers) that comes closest to how you feel or think.

21. Mr. Carelli owns a drug store. When school gets out, lots of kids come into his store. He has noticed that after the kids leave, candy and magazines have been shoplifted. What is the best way for Mr. Carelli to solve this problem?

1) Prohibit kids from entering the store between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
2) Allow only a few kids in at one time so he can keep an eye on them.
3) Get the police to prosecute to the maximum degree when someone is caught.
4) Put the candy and magazines near the checkout counter where he can see them.
5) Stop carrying the items that the kids like to steal.
6) Install video cameras in the store to watch the kids.

24. You are going to move out of your house after renting there for 3 years. The house is in good condition. When the landlord inspects the house, he says that you will have to paint the inside of the house or he will keep your security deposit. You have called the local housing authority and have found out that painting is your landlord's responsibility. When you tell him this, he still disagrees.

What do you do?

1) Do the painting yourself, and insist on your deposit back.
2) Tell him that you will pursue the matter legally.
3) Offer to pay for half of the painting if he will give you your deposit back.
4) Give up on getting your deposit back, because it is not worth the fight.

Reading Comprehension

5. Answer 2 is correct because Self Control is one of the emotional skills listed in the passage.
6. Sara is demonstrating Intentionality by believing that she can sell more chocolate. Answer 4 is correct.
7. Answer 3 is correct. Based on Joseph's behavior, it is not clear if any of the other statements are true.
8. Answer 6 is correct. Marisha clearly has trouble Communicating with others. She may also lack Confidence or Relatedness, but we can't tell for sure from her behavior.

Mathematical Skills

18. 4 is correct. To solve this problem, multiply 50 by .10. This is equal to 5. Subtract 5 from 50 = 45. Then, multiply 45 by .05. This is equal to 2.25. Add 2.25 to 45.

Situational Questions

21. 2 is the best answer. 4 would also work, but is not as effective as 2. Some of the other solutions may also work, but 2 is the most effective solution because it will be easy to implement, does not cost anything, and will not have negative consequences that some of the other options may have.
[Note from David R. - If you had the experience of growing up in an inner city neighborhood, would you think that a storekeeper would be able to control entrance to his store to "only a few kids at a time?" Would this be "easy to implement?"]

24. 2 is correct. In this case, the landlord is breaking the law. Telling him your intention gives him the opportunity to change
his mind.
[Note from David R. - Maybe 3 is the best answer. This is a compromise and shows you are willing to be flexible and negotiate. Those of us in the middle class are used to reaching for a lawyer whenever controversy arises. Those with less access to lawyers may think of more practical and less confrontational solutions.]