In response to Darlene's stress-filled day, I would like to recommend
Andrew's Clements novel, The Report Card. It is set in Connecticut and shows
a courageous attempt by a young girl who is very upset by the statewide
testing program and her parents' emphasis on grades.
If you liked Frindle, I think you'll appreciate The Report Card.
Happy weekend, Darlene and all.
Pat
Pat Bartoshesky, Librarian
Highlands (elem.) School 2121 Gilpin Ave.
Wilmington, DE 19806 302-651-2715
bartoapple@comcast.net
----- Original Message -----
From: "Darlene Yasick" <lib027yas@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
To: <LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU>
Sent: Friday, April 30, 2004 8:22 PM
Subject: Vent: state testing
> I'm curious to know how much time state standardized test take in your
states and how disruptive they are.
>
> This is prompted by one of the worst days I can remember since I started
this job. In retrospect it probably won't sound so bad but coming after a
drama performance, a career fair which I was co chair of and 34 scholarship
applications that I was to evaluate during the week today was just the last
straw. Michigan's state test is called the MEAP High school tests over the
course of two weeks with tests scheduled in two hour sessions ( at our
school) running on a every other day schedule. We might just as well close
up for those hours because-- all juniors must take the test unless they
opted to take it as sophomore and passed it ( so they are eligilbe for state
scholarship and to co enroll in a local college) In addition any senior who
hasn't passed can/must retake it. So this means any class which is basically
an eleventh grade class doesn't do anything for the better part of two weeks
and many classes with sophomores and seniors taking the test are also
disrupted. In addi!
> tion a
> place has to be found for the juniors who already took the test and the
vocational students who don't go to the tech center and have a "free period
after the test and before they return to their regular schedule. Can you
guess where they go? Yep LMC along with one to three classes which have been
displaced from their rooms because they are being used for testing-- and the
occassional class that actually planned to use the MC.
> This morning we had three classes. One teacher had a lesson plan, one
chose to go in the lab ( i don't know what they did in there) but the other
class and the non test takers etc. had nothing to do. I rolled with the
punches pretty well until I saw kids playing cards. Told them that was not
acceptable behavior in the MC and they needed to find something else to do.
Then had a kid come in with a pass to do research. His friend pointed out
that he wasn't working and needed to get busy or he wouldn't graduate. My
aide talked to him, he really didn't care even though his friends kept
telling him to knock it off and get to work. Finally was told to go to SRC
and refused and eventually the AP got involved.
>
> Then just before lunch there was announcement that anyone who wanted to
stay for the SADD assembly instead of going to VoTech could do so by signing
up in the office and reporting to the MC for the afternoon. Thirty one kids
decided to stay. They were very ticked that they were expected to stay in
the media center and that I would only let one bathroom trip happen at a
time. It took several of them 40 minutes to return from lunch ( where were
you? in the bathroom. For a half hour? I was in the bathroom) The
grumbling-- this is like we are being babysat ( my reply , yes you are!) To
make matters worse the assembly was held fifth hour and lasted about 25
minute so back to the MC the kids go-- not counting the ones who
disapppeared for the rest of fifth and all of sixth hour. I told them that
they could read mags, talk etc ( I even turned a blind eye to the card
playing since they weren't actually in a class) When I walked back to my
office to grab a file folder from my desk- t!
> wo of
> them " escaped " out the fire door.
> It seemed that every kid I talked to today was snippy and unfriendly. This
is so unlike our student body. The AP said that he has been having that
problem for the last couple of weeks and he too said it's not like our kids
to be this disrespectful for the most part. So I am very glad it's Friday
just a part of a week of running semi- adult day care to go.
>
> I am curious as to how testing is handled in other states and if you would
let them eat cake--er let them play cards under the circumstance ( I did
make them put the balloon away!
>
>
> Darlene Yasick
> Media Specialist
> Hopkins (MI) High School
> lib027yas@global.net
>
>
> >>> Error in line 3 of LM_NET.MAILTPL: unknown formatting command <<<
> -> .....................................................................
<-
>
>>> Error in line 3 of LM_NET.MAILTPL: unknown formatting command <<<
-> ..................................................................... <-
LM_NET
Mailing List Home