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Date Posted: 07:41:12 06/09/01 Sat
Author: Naturally
Subject: Johnny can't read but his feeling are okay!
In reply to: Fuji 's message, "Re: mcas" on 10:29:57 06/04/01 Mon

I always find it peculiar that whenever we attempt to assert a standard within the schools, we are heralded with a chorus of voices who hold up various groups for whom that standard should not apply. Why are we so bent on sacrificing the good for the perfect?

The minorities will say that MCAS is unfair to them. Urban schools will say that MCAS is an undue burden. The teacher�s union never wants to be held to any standards at all. And then there are those who fall under the ever-widening umbrella of �learning disabled.�

For those of you who subscribe to the notion of �test anxiety� let me pose this question. If someone wishes to be a pilot or a surgeon, should they be allowed to not take any tests because the prospect of it unleashes a paralyzing anxiety within them? If so, would you be willing to fly in a plane with them or have them operate on you?

When little Anxious Annie decides she want to become a lawyer, should we waive the bar exam? How about the electrician�s License or the plumber�s license? And when all the anxiety ridden children attain the age of 17 do they simply decide to take the bus for the rest of their lives or do they suddenly find the wherewithal to take the Driver�s exam? Hmmm, instant recovery!

The only test anxiety I feel is genuine is prostate cancer screening. The Doctor snaps on those gloves and I become real tense.

We worship at the holy alter of feelings over function. Our children�s sense of esteem reigns supreme over anything else. We don�t want them stressed over the MCAS. They might implode. Consider a functional illiterate attempting to make his or her way in the world. Mommy, Daddy and the schools have protected them form any possible external stresses. They go out into the real world and eventually learn what a terrible disservice we have done to them.

I don�t believe the MCAS is perfect, I don�t think a perfect assessment is ever going to be available. We have to start somewhere though. Finally, at long last we have to say that you need to know at least this before we can say that you have a High School education. It may feel uncomfortable for awhile, but nobody ever died from feeling uncomfortable.

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Replies:

Re: Johnny can't read but his feeling are okay! -- Mary, 07:29:11 06/13/01 Wed