Thursday, Jan. 23, 2003
Letter to my principal, posted at 2:41 p.m.
Epiphany in Baltimore has moved to epiphanyinbaltimore.blogspot.com It is very disappointing that the ENG I curriculum is still being assessed based on this problematic test that appears to be only loosely based on the format of the (state) High School Assessment and the (state) Performance Standards. It is even more disappointing that our students� grades are affected so much by a test that has never proved to be a quality assessment tool for our students. I am aware of the complexities involved in standardized testing, and see the necessity for the city to assess how high schools are performing based on a common testing tool. However, until they can correct the problems of this test and create one that truly assesses the achievement of students at (this school), the English Department should be allowed to create final exams that follow the milestone format and are based on the skills that we teach the students. This way, we can accurately and justly utilize the data generated by final exams to examine our teaching. As it is now, data generated by the citywide final exams is only moderately relevant.The biggest issue with the test is that it is identical or nearly identical to the tests of ENG I for the last two semesters. Because we were told that the city was purchasing new testing materials, many of us did not review to the problematic End Of Course Assessments of years past. Unfortunately, the tests are exactly the same, and do not appear to reflect any of the numerous suggestions given in past semesters as to the problems of the tests.
Overall, I find the current final exam format to be unfair for students who see it counted as 20 percent of their final grade, and nearly useless for teachers to use as data to plan curriculum.