Junior Emily Thompson takes her seat in this unfamiliar classroom to begin the exam she has been dreading all year, the junior Literacy Exam. She picks up her pencil and just like the practice exams, the first question she sees, she already knows the answer.
“I didn’t want to take this test,” said Thompson. “It was really easy though, so I think I did well.”
On March 6-7 Thompson and all the juniors gathered in the upstairs A and C halls to take the junior literacy exam that will assess the entire state. This exam occurs every year and is state mandated. It measures the literacy skills of reading and writing. The students have been practicing questions and preparing all year for this test.
“All students have been taking practice assessments from the released tests all year long just so we make sure they do well,” said lead English teacher Amy Johnson.
Although the advanced placement students may have felt confident as well as the English 11 students, those who have learning disabilities or are just now learning the English language could have had a difficult time throughout this exam. To help, the English learners are given extended time and a word-to-word dictionary to ease the challenge.
“It was more difficult,” said literacy coach Kristin Groves. “But it also depends on the level on which they came to the USA. There are so many variables to consider with their testing abilities.”
The Language Academy has prepared the students all year long with vocabulary, comparing and contrasting, and everything that might have appeared on the exam.
“We did everything, taught everything, and they were being enriched with vocabulary all the time,” said Mrs. Groves.
For the teachers who go through this test every year, they agree that this test may not be the best way to rank the schools or challenge the students.
“I think there is a better way than a two-day, eight-hour test,” said AP Literature teacher Mary Margaret Gray.
Even the lead teacher of the English department sees some flaws with the current system.
“We should have some sort of test, but a different style could provide more feedback,” said Mrs. Johnson.
Although the students didn’t have a choice in the matter, they were given incentives for them to do well. Effort based rewards were determined by the proctors in each room, those who put forth their best effort will be able to take their spring semester English 11 exam early and be excused from attending on the actual test date.
Students who earn proficient will get to take their fall semester English 12 exam early and pay only half-price for a parking pass next year. Advanced students will be able to take both fall and spring semester English 12 exam early and receive a free parking pass.
However, if a student’s results come back poor, they will be remediated throughout the next school year, their senior year.
“I think with the practice I was able to do well on this exam. It was really easy,” said Thompson. “It will be good to see how our school ranks in comparison.”
If a student missed the exam, they will be called out of regular class periods to finish testing. With all the practice, teachers held the highest faith in their students.
“I think they did well. I absolutely think they tried hard and went in prepared,” said Mrs. Johnson.
