Carlos was told that his school’s annual test was going to be fun. Rewarding. Personal. A test that will help him, as an individual, grow to his highest potential. Carlos began to imagine it.
His teacher, Mr. Comp told him he’d be taking his state-mandated test on the computer, instead of bubbling in multiple-choice answers. “Carlos, imagine sitting in front of the computer and being presented with open-ended question after open-ended question, in all subjects.”
Carlos tweaked his head to the side, trying to picture it.
“And, rather than feeling pressured to perform, you are given time to think about, and plan your answers,” his teacher continued.
Carlos was seeing it. Liking the idea.
The questions would be scaffolded.”
Carlos needed the word defined.
“Meaning, questions would be based on your skill level; each question, after the first one, would be based on how you answered the previous question, layering it to your personal level of learning.”
“Nice,” Carlos gave a thumbs-up.
“Also, rather than lumping all of the kids in the class, or the state for that matter, into one category, giving everyone the same level of assessment, regardless of where they are on the learning curve, each would be able to show how they’ve progress over the year. Your scores would be based on you, and compared to your assessment from the previous year, showing your own personal growth. Imagine that, Carlos.”
“I think I would feel great! I think that kind of testing would really change the way I think about our annual assessment; and, also, really show my parents that I am learning. And not compare me with all the other kids in school. Plus, sometimes when questions are multiple choice, I just guess because I’m tired, don’t have a clue what the answer is, or I’m just not into it. So, this new kind of state test would be awesome!”
They were both silent for a moment, reflecting.
“Mr. Comp. Are you just wishing, or is this something you have been told about?”
“It’s on its way, Carlos, it’s on its way.”
BonaFideAffairs 
Hi..
I’m from the AtoZ Challenge and its a pleasure to read your blog.
Bhavya from Just Another Blog
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hello. thanks for stopping by…..
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If only… sigh…wish that were already here!
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here’s hoping the future looks this bright…..
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The state testing is a bit much these days. To much pressure is put on the kids and teachers to perform, as if test scores are the only things that show a teachers value. Pft!
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seriously…. i am tired of pressuring kids to do well on tests, to prove how smart they are…. i want to go back to having a bit of fun!….
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well, our district is already booting up the site to enable us to practice, learn about, and adapt to this new kind of testing… which should begin next year…
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I remember that, Paula. Nice post, Daphne, and who knows, maybe one day…
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According to my district, loupmojo, my class will get a chance to ‘practice’ the test to get familiar with it, and then the following year they might actually take the state test this way…
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I hate to mention this, but this kind of system was actually used way back in the 50s (when I was at school), but not with a computer. We had a yearly test, and ‘someone’ plotted the answers and scores on a graph, which compared our progress from the previous year(s) and also compared all the students against each other.
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i can imagine, paula… this seems to be a no brainer way to test kids, but politics always seem to get in the way….
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Boys are so not set up for success in school, are they?
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so it seems, cheryl…. hopefully this type of testing will change that….
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Would be nice, wouldn’t it?
http://paulasplace-paula.blogspot.com/
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