High-stakes testing

Here in Washington, the dreaded test is called the WASL. Students in grades 3-10 (except 9th) have to take the Reading and Math WASLS each year. Writing is administered in the 4th, 7th, and 10th grades, while Science is given in 5th, 8th, and 10th grades. Starting with the class of 2008, all sophomores have to pass the Reading, Writing, and Math sections of the WASL in order to graduate. As a member of the class of 2008, I'll admit: I hate the WASL with a fiery passion. When our test results came earlier this year, less than half of all the sophomores in the state passed all three tests. Here at our school, those that failed one or more of the WASL tests had to take a required, full-year class dedicated to learning how to take the WASL, on top of a summer WASL course. Forcing the WASL (or any other standardized test for that matter) down our throats won't necessarily prepare us for the rigors of the 21st century, as many educators claim. Think of all the valuable skills we could learn (foreign languages, technology, etc.) during the time schools spend on teaching us how to take the WASL. And it doesn't stop there. Nor only has our state superintendent continued to believe that every member of the class of 2008 will pass the WASL in time for graduation, she had decided to administer more WASL tests. Starting in 2009, the Social Studies, Health/Fitness, and Art WASLs will be phased in. What, exactly, would a question on the art WASL look like?" Maybe something like this: "Draw a 2-point perspective portait, using crosshatching and gradient elements." And I thought art was subjective :( After all is said and done, there will be 6 WASL tests for students, parents, teachers, and administrators to cringe about. Isn't it time for politicians and education experts to realize that school isn't all about test-taking skills? I want to learn something that is interesting and would help me in the future, rather than learning about how much Bill and Dana would earn if they each mowed a fraction of the lawn. It's time for a change. Question is, when? ~Student, 11th Grade, WA State

here in Louisiana it's called the LEAP test. The schedule is the same as you posted, and I think it's ridiculous. Kids are failing more and *less* literate than when I was in school, and all we took was the Stanford Achievement test and the high school exit exam. The more tests, the earlier kids start school, the more we push them, it's the same thing. The smart kids are excelling and the average and struggling students are just falling further behind.

I don't thnk so if the scool had did that when i went to school I may have learen how to read and spell

yes i think yes the children are being over tested i like that they have the taks test but they should change the rules so that they only be tested in 3,6,9 grades and yes u are write about all they do is take test