Posted on 03/09/2015 6:30:37 AM PDT by goodwithagun
I thought FReepers might want to see these tests for themselves. The link and instructions are in the first comment. I also included the link to Ohio's AIR social studies and science tests. Freshmen have missed seven school days to take these tests, and they will miss more for final testing the end of April and the beginning of May.
Choose either English or math (in the green bands). Scroll down and choose the grade level. Choose "Computer Based Practice Test." Enter any name and start the test.
For social studies and science AIR: https://login1.cloud2.tds.airast.org/student/V99/Pages/LoginShell.aspx?c=Ohio_PT
You don't have to enter any info, just click "Sign In." Select a grade from the drop down menu and then click yes. If you choose a high school grade you will have multiple social studies classes to choose from and one science class, but lower grades have a specific area of social studies or science assigned to them. Some grades might just have science or just social studies. Choose the PBA or the EOY (project based assessments are what students are taking now, end of year assessments will be taken later). Click on the test in the green band and on the next screen click select. Click "Yes Start My Test" on the next screen, and on the following screen click "Begin Test Now."
bumpety bump
My students are taking the American Government PBA. I can’t post all four of the practice questions due to click and drags features required to answer the questions, but I can post the essays.
Practice question 2:
A state is considering an amendment to its constitution requiring that judges be appointed rather than elected. A supporter of the amendment makes the following statement:
Electing judges allows choices to be made on the basis of political influence, not merit. I believe that it is time to consider changing this practice to a system whereby judges are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the legislature.
Our State Bar (lawyers) Association supports this change because during election years, campaigning and fundraising for the election of judges delays the hearing of cases. This creates a backlog in the year following the election. Furthermore, a survey of voter habits by the State Election Commission reports that 60% of voters fail to vote for judges at all. Voters say they lack relevant criteria for making selections. The Commission has stated its support for the amendment in order to better assure that judges have been chosen on their merits rather than their appeal to special interests.
Explain why the use of the particular sources presented by the supporter of the amendment makes the supporter’s position credible. Be sure to refer to:
the qualifications of the sources;
the consistency (agreement) between the sources.
Type your answer in the space provided.
Practice question 4:
Explain how the passage of the 19th Amendment changed the U.S. Constitution to allow greater participation in government. Be sure to note a restriction on voting that the 19th Amendment addressed.
Then, explain how the passage of the 26th Amendment continued the change toward greater participation in government. Be sure to note a restriction on voting that the 26th Amendment addressed.
Type your answer in the space provided.
I’m looking forward to the massive failing of most students on these tests.
Then the stuff will really hit the fan.
Someone really thinks that having judges appointed by the governor is going to take politics out of the selection of judges.
I notice that the practice questions do not permit a contrarian view. The student is required to spout the test writer’s political agenda.
There’s been a large social media campaign of students who have been deliberately bombing these tests. Mine are past this stage already, but they are hearing it from those that are locally as well.
The logic of grade 3 English (f'rinstance) left me, a 67 yr old, relatively intelligent (though some may argue otherwise) ... male, a little confused.
I didn't actually read the story because testing is not that difficult if the question aligns with the material it refers to ....
I found the definition of words to be a little askew of common usage, and you were directed to justify your answer according (again) to the material offered.
I came away with .... this is an attempt to subvert language, which subverts thought processes which subverts problem solving which eliminates any individual thought process which makes a drone
That's my logic and I'm stickin' TO it.
It wasn't even a proper sentence to begin with. But, aside from that, how many 3rd graders you know would understand all the terms and what they were supposed to do? How many children from poor homes are going to understand it? How many parents, educated or not are going to comprehend the instructions? I can see the instructions given at the high school level, but elementary school?
A lot of Kids in my state used some choice language on twitter regarding these tests. They completely blew them off.
“I notice that the practice questions do not permit a contrarian view”
Yeh I noticed that too. LOL!
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I don't know any 3rd grader who would easily do well on this test. I think most kids will resort to guessing the answers, and most kids will fail. I gleefully look forward to seeing the testing results this Spring!
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