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Well, I'm a 7th grader from Wasington State. In order to gradiate high school the govornment expects us to pass the WASL(Washington Assenment of Student Learning). If we don't pass, than we don't gradiate. What if there is a good student that just happens to do pourly on tests, do you think it would be fair to have them not gradiate, just because of ONE test?

2006-11-02 15:25:41 · 14 answers · asked by Sandra D. 2 in Education & Reference Standards & Testing

14 answers

Sounds like the SATs

2006-11-02 15:27:18 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Is it fair? Not really a fair question. The question should be is it ethical?

Regardless of how you feel, you will have to take the test. The rationale behind it is this-how can one find if the educational curriculum is all encompassing and will ensure all students have been taught that which is deemed a "complete" education? What system would suffice? Grades alone? If one person was doing all the grading for all students in the state-that might work. But since there are many teachers, who use their own judgement on the results, this is not a viable option.

There are alternatives to graduation-such as completion of a GED. Although this is less desirable, it is an alternative.

Try and think of it this way-when you have graduated and after you possibly further your education, you will likely become a hard-working taxpayer. Do you want your taxes to be used in a manner in which you might be able to see concrete results (testing) or do you want to be the judgement call of many people (teachers)?

2006-11-04 01:44:12 · answer #2 · answered by nikirr 2 · 0 0

If Washington is anything like Ohio (we also have this test) you are given several tries to pass the test. I think you get it the first time in your junior year.
You only have to retake the sections that you fail so if you are really strong in something like English and pass it the first time thru but fail the math section.
The next time you take the test you will be excused from the English portion of the exam.

After the first test, you should know what to expect so you will know what to study and feel more confident taking it the second time around. The majority of students have it passed by their third try.

Special ed students are given the test but the "passing" is lower than the regular students.
Those students who do not pass it are given a certificate of participation rather than a high school diploma.

2006-11-02 23:35:32 · answer #3 · answered by neona807 5 · 0 0

The state of Texas also has a similar test call the TAAS test. You must score within a certain percentile in order to graduate. I hated this test a lot when I was in school but actually the reason that they make you take it is so that you will be prepared for SAT ACT ASVAB (for students who plan to join the military) and other university entry level tests. It is basically a way of preparing you for your future studies. So if you are a student that plans on continuing your education post-grad then you should use this to your advantage and try your best to score high as it will reflect your overall educational career in the future.

2006-11-02 23:38:02 · answer #4 · answered by Mom_of_two 5 · 0 0

When I lived in Texas, we had a similar test called the TAAS (Texas Assessment of Academic Standards I think is what it stood for) Anyways, I am a HORRIBLE test taker (especially math) and did very well on it. It's mainly comprised of simple, common sense questions that you learned in 5th grade and beyond. Don't sweat it too much. It's just a fancy way for the schools to assess the teachers and the curriculum that the schools are teaching. I'm sure you'll do fine.

2006-11-03 08:59:02 · answer #5 · answered by IN_lady 3 · 0 0

Sounds like the CTBS that we had to take when I lived in California. If it's anything like most standard testing for high school, you can take it every year from your freshman through high school years. And they are not hard; 70 % of my graduating class passed the test as freshmen. And yes, it is fair to base whether or not you can graduate on one test. The state needs to assess whether their education system is effective; if their students don't have the most basic skills, they DON'T deserve to have a diploma. These are fairly basic skills they test.

2006-11-03 00:06:44 · answer #6 · answered by MissNeen 3 · 0 0

Please don't take this as inslulting to you at all...but from what I have heard, they are very basic tests. It's not like a regular school test where you have to get an "A" to pass...you have to do as well as the national average or something like that. Since the scores are only guaging whether or not you have learned enough to get a diploma, a good student (even one with test anxiety) should pass it...

2006-11-02 23:35:45 · answer #7 · answered by Erika H 5 · 0 0

-----I once took a standardized text when I felt great. I took the same test--different questions--again when I was really too sick to be up and around. I do not remember which I took first. I was amazed to learn that I did slightly better the time I was sick. This gave me confidence that the test measured something fundamental; that the grade you made would not be ifluenced by how you happened to feel that day. -----Jim

2006-11-03 02:12:55 · answer #8 · answered by James M 4 · 0 0

On the brite syde, yule get more then wun chanse to pass the test. Durying the yeers leeding to hi skool, yuu shud rilly wurk on yure speling, or at leest lurn how tu yuse spell chek. Dont' wury, yule pass the test. Gud luk.

2006-11-03 00:38:43 · answer #9 · answered by Bestie 6 · 0 0

Hey, Ima a seventh grader in Washington too! I totally agree with you. I go to Middle School in Everett.

2006-11-02 23:57:55 · answer #10 · answered by ○○I am kayla○○ 2 · 0 0

Yes, it's fair. 7th grade is the perfect time to start preparing young people for the real world. Not trying to be mean, but sometimes you only get one shot, make it count. By the way- try to sharpen up on your spelling skills :) Good luck!

2006-11-02 23:35:33 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

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