Re: FW: Cincy enquirer asking for input on testing

["Ali M." <trading_messages@hotmail.com>]

I think there are too many standardized tests and most of the time, they are 
unnecessary. I am a high school senor and my experience with tests has been 
less than positive. It has jeopardized my graduation and I have had to go 
through a lot, from attending to remedial classes and to re-take the math 
section on the PA state tests(PSSA) to see if I could score proficient or 
better. I scored on the basic level of my state re-test and now I have to 
have remedial class again and take a district alternative test in May. 
They're unnecessary because there are other just ways to assess students, 
and multiple choice tests are not the answer. Also, the over-emphasis on the 
tests for graduation and grade promotion as well as the large amount of such 
tests can take away children's interest in school and cause them to lose 
their self-esteem if they are doing poorly.

In my case, I felt frustrated because my grades had always been good and I 
was guaranteed to graduate after completing a graduation project, but now 
all the mandated testing in place is ensuring that academic performance 
doesn't matter. I believe that mandated tests will be found to do more harm 
than good for public education when it comes to the well-being of the kids 
of the future as well as the way teachers can adapt their curriculum and be 
able to teach.

-Ali(high school senior, PA)


> From: Sean Obrien <sobrien@columbus.rr.com>
> Reply-To: arn-l@interversity.org
> To: notests <sobrien@columbus.rr.com>, ARN <arn-l@interversity.org>
> Subject: [arn-l] FW: Cincy enquirer asking for input on testing
> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2004 12:24:39 -0500
>
>
>
> ----------
> From: Ehrmanmom@aol.com
> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2004 08:23:13 -0500 (EST)
> To: sobrien@columbus.rr.com
> Subject: Cincy enquirer asking for input on testing
>
> Mary, I just found this email today (3/15/04) please foward if possible so
> that our views overload her email box.
>
> "I have been planning a testing story for a while and the time has finally
> come since we are in the midst of prof. testing.  I am looking for 
> teachers,
> parents, kids and admistrators to comment on the testing phenomenon,
> especially in light of new requirerments under NCLB.  We want to know how
> you feel about the many mandated test.  Are the necessary and, if so, why?
> Or are there too many?  Teachers:  how do the many required tests affect
> your ablity to teach?  Parents: how do your kids feel about the tests?
>
> Any help would be appreciated.  This story must be wrapped up by next week,
> so quick responses would be welcome.  Please include day and night phone
> numbers if you have suggestions for people I can contact.  And please send
> emails to me at
>    jmrozowski@enquirer.com  Thanks so much, Jennifer - Cincinnati Enquirer
> education reporter office 513-768-8509/cell 859-866-3044"
>
> Mary this was her email message to me,  so hey, I'm a helpful kinda gal,
> lets give her what she asked for.  Meg and Tommy are going to write her
> after school today.
> Bet there isn't a writing test prompt like this one being given by the 
> state
> .....
>
> Having fun,  Sue E.

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