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proud2BlibKansan

(96,793 posts)
Wed Jun 5, 2013, 09:05 PM Jun 2013

Rockland kids slam state exams, write to Cuomo: 'We're only in third grade for heaven sakes'

Third-grader Crystal Martinez was shy and quiet when reading her letter about the standardized state test aloud, but her writing was pointed.

"I know the governor wants us to be 'college ready,' but we are only in third grade for heaven sakes," Crystal wrote.

She and her classmates -- 8- and 9-year-old third-graders at Thiells Elementary School in the North Rockland Central School District -- needed an outlet for their frustration and stress over state tests this past April. Their teacher, Maria Eliakostas, says they talked it out with her, but that didn't seem to do the trick.

So, Principal Peter DiBernardi and Eliakostas decided to have the students write letters.

The result: more than 20 letters decorated with hearts, smiley faces and star drawings, but brimming with stress, frustration and tough questions about the wisdom of the rigorous state exams.

more ... http://newyork.newsday.com/news/nation/rockland-kids-slam-state-exams-write-to-cuomo-we-re-only-in-third-grade-for-heaven-sakes-1.5415097?qr=1

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Rockland kids slam state exams, write to Cuomo: 'We're only in third grade for heaven sakes' (Original Post) proud2BlibKansan Jun 2013 OP
Ironic thing is that most of the tests Harmony Blue Jun 2013 #1
Common Core tests have fewer multiple choice items. proud2BlibKansan Jun 2013 #2

Harmony Blue

(3,978 posts)
1. Ironic thing is that most of the tests
Wed Jun 5, 2013, 09:09 PM
Jun 2013

colleges administer are based on critical thinking skills. Sure multiple choice questions will be thrown in to ensure the bell curve of the average of a class stays intact. But some professors or teaching assistants completely forgo multiple choice and rely on essay responses. And I am not talking about lit majors only either.

proud2BlibKansan

(96,793 posts)
2. Common Core tests have fewer multiple choice items.
Wed Jun 5, 2013, 09:41 PM
Jun 2013

Still mainly multiple choice but not 100%. CC tests also have multiple choice questions that have more than one answer. That's going to be tough for kids who are used to one answer questions.

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