MCAS

Remind us why we have MCAS again?

adamg — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:53:29 -0400

The Globe reports:

Thousands of Massachusetts public high school graduates arrive at college unprepared for even the most basic math and English classes, forcing them to take remedial courses that discourage many from staying in school, according to a statewide study released yesterday.

Read the report yourself.

Roslindale principal develops novel MCAS study technique

adamg — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 08:47:33 -0400

Sorta old news, but I was reminded of it this morning because the kidlet's taking Yet Another MCAS Test: The principal of the Washington Irving Middle School is under investigation for allegedly giving teachers parts of the test the day before so they could help their students get better scores.

Silver lining: It might take people's minds off the school's weekly appearances in the Roslindale Transcript's police blotter.

No MCASitis in her house

adamg — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 15:16:37 -0400

Jennifer Lord reports that she went downstairs this morning, her fifth-grade son was already there, eating cereal and watching Matsuzaka struggle as he got ready for a day of MCAS exams:

... [T]hese were his parting words this morning when I wished him luck.

"Don't worry mom," David said. "I'm more Big Papi than Dice-K on MCAS."

MCASitis

adamg — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 10:06:17 -0400

Dr. Gwenn discusses an ailment peculiar to Massachusetts schoolchildren:

Yesterday I saw a young girl in my office who had very bad tummy aches. ... So, I checked her out head to toe and did a Strep test. Still, nothing. Her exam was normal - in fact, the tummy exam yielded giggles and I discovered she is quite the hopper and very adept and climbing on and off a tricky to climb exam table! And, office her Strep test was negative. Very reassuring all around.

Chatting with this young, pleasant child and her mom I learned she's in third grade in a town near mine and facing the dreaded MCAS testing today ...

MCAS opponents just weak and fearful?

adamg — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 10:32:46 -0400

Only in Boston makes the argument.

MCAS test stolen

adamg — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 10:44:24 -0400

The Lawrence Eagle-Tribune reports: somebody stole a copy of the MCAS English test in Haverhill.

Via Elephant Picnic, who wonders when the Boston papers will stop their Harvard-internalizer coverage and pick up this story:

Granted, I was interested in [the Harvard story] a couple of days ago. Now it's gone well beyond another example of the media beating a dead horse at the expense of news that actually directly impacts state tax payers and the education of their kids.