My Brush with the MCAS virus

Yes, it is true. Today we atarted the MSAC test. The Dreaded Standardized test that sucks the life out of it's testers, and just makes life suck.

We start the day in homeroom. Things are normal and life is good. We get ready to go to first block, then it hits us. Today starts Hell Week, MCAS, standardized testing at it's finest. OK, OK, so it really isn't that bad, but it does suck alot. They make you sit there for 3+ hours strait, reading the stupides drivel that has ever been printed. And after you finish reading it, you have to answer questions about it.

Imagin the poem Barter(actually apperaing on FORM 48 and other forms on the 2004 MCAS). Then answer short answer style question for me: "Why do you thing the name of the poem is Barter?". Yes, that is exactly the kinds of stupid wuestions they asked us. Acctually that is exactly one of the questions they asked me.

You know the whole MCAS thing is bull anyway, the short answer questions are scored on a 5 point rubrick. You writing something like "I think the name of the poem is barter because they barter in it." Would probably get you at least 2 points.

Would you like to know the worst part about MCAS. We have to pass the English and Math sections to graduate, and they are thinking of making the Science section a requirement from graduation too. What a load of crap. Don't we have enough tests and grades to worry about, without one test determining if you can graduate or not.

Immagine this senario: I am a C+ to B- student i get good grades and work hard for them. The probem is that when i take tests i freeze up, can't think, mind goes blank. So i take the MCAS and fail. Now, of corse they give you more than one go at it. So, i take it 4 more times and fail every time. I am a smart kid, with good grades. but now, because of one test that i failed, i now only get a certificate of attendance, instead of my diploma. And not i have to keep takeing the test over until who knows when, so that i can get my diploma. Does this sound fair to you?

Fortunatly, some colleges have seen the evil that is the MCAS. These colleges have decided to take the certificates of graduation in place of the diplomas. And God bless them for that. These are the real thinkersin our sociey. Not the no brainers that run the D.O.E.

After the MCAS we resumed our normal course of studies. I had theatre arts and it was awsum. We did Andreas play for the final time and, despite some acting defects, i think it went remarkably well. I though that, on such chort notice, the lights turned out fairly well, and Andrea seemed pleased.

In english we didn nothing eccept harass Ashton, which is always fun. It's all in good fun though, she had a good time too.

I didn't get to talk to Angie today, but hopefully i will tomorrow. I get out of work relatively early, so tomrrow should be a good day.

Well that's all for me. outie.