My children recently completed the MSP testing for another year.
My eighth-grader was asked to do multiple slope problems without the use of grid paper for this test. At the beginning of the test, the proctors were unsure whether they could use calculators, and then after discussion allowed her to use it.
My fourth-grader spent two days completing writing assignments. The first day he was supposed to write about “golden glowing shoes” in his room and what would happen if he put them on. Only he did not understand the instructions and as a 9-year-old-boy could not understand what he would do with “golden glowing shoes,” so he wrote about fishing. The boy next to him wrote about cars.
Who is writing these tests and what exactly do they prove? I was told by the proctor on day two that there is more next year and it is “a learning experience.” A learning experience will not increase the grade that is so highly regarded by so many people.
My son can write a paper. We have done papers throughout the year that have included writing to a prompt, explaining why or why not television is acceptable for children to watch, along with a narrative about cooking a steak, and catching a fish. He has also completed book reports, along with a research paper about Mount Rushmore. He has never and probably will never have to explain “golden glowing shoes.”
When will we realize that teaching to these silly tests is a waste of money and our teachers’ and childrens’ time.
If you want to test my child, find a topic worth discussing, and provide the necessary items needed to complete the task.
Faith Martian, RD MBA
Stanwood
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