MCAS testing has ruled our lives for the last 12 years, but is it actually helping the students in Massachusetts? In 2010, 2,900 high school seniors failed the science portion of the test, 2,500 failed math and 2,000 failed English. Why is this happening if the MCAS testing is so important? There is so much wrong with MCAS testing today. First what students in one classroom in Danvers, MA may be learning is different from what the students in Springfield, MA may be learning, and who says that is what they will all be tested on. The focus on the test itself is very overwhelming for students and teachers. All everyone talks about all through the school year is when you take the MCAS in the spring...
Of course there are positive aspects of the MCAS tests. It is a way to test all students to see that they are on track with the information needed to graduate high school. As I have already said though, too many students are failing so it's not working.
What can the state do to fix the problem with so many students failing the MCAS tests? First, a set curriculum across the state needs to be set for each grade level and there should be follow up to make sure that teachers are following that curriculum to a tee. Second, the pressure that is placed on MCAS testing should go away. I'm not saying that they shouldn't know it's important but not make them feel as it is life or death. When I was in school we spent more time doing MCAS practice questions and learning how to fill in the bubbles than learning our actual curriculum. If we had maybe learned more material in that time I'm sure students would have done better on the tests.
I am not fully against MCAS testing. I think that there should be some sort of test to make sure students are actually learning but everyone needs to be on the same page. If Massachusetts can get a more direct curriculum and follow up on it's teachers I think that students will start to do better on the MCAS testing.
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