[SuziQ]

I believe the principal was so insistent because he knew that by not completing the essay, the boy's grade on the WASL would be pretty low, and when averaged with the other kids' scores, would drag the average down for his school. Since schools are judged these days by these test averages, it was a big deal to the principal.

Unfortunately, the boy was working on a different set of worries. He knew that whatever he wrote would be unflattering to the principal, and he was concerned he'd get into trouble over that.

I agree, though, that the school should have absolutely NO ability to interfere with the test taking; how else could the public be assured that the school is not giving answers or something else to increase the kids' averages to make the school look good?

[metmom]

I agree, though, that the school should have absolutely NO ability to interfere with the test taking; how else could the public be assured that the school is not giving answers or something else to increase the kids' averages to make the school look good?

Ummm,... I have news for you... Even when I was in school, the proctors would go by, look at my paper and make comments like: "Make sure you're answering the right question.", "Don't forget to check your math.", or just "Hmmm..." You knew.