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cover letter
cover letter
Dear Ms. Eshelman,
My article on if MCAS is necessary demonstrates my interviewing skills by having to interview many people twice to get the full scope of everybody's opinions. I had experienced the same issues that professional journalists do when many people didn’t not answer me when I reached out to interview them. Also I had to phrase everything openly to get everyone’s input and different approaches for the test.This article also demonstrates my understanding of newsworthiness because MCAS is very relevant at the end of the year with every teacher and student preparing for the days of testing.
My project demonstrates my storytelling and reporting skills because it forced me to ask hard hitting questions with teachers about children who need independent Education plans and others who need more help with tests.
My project demonstrates my understanding of journalistic ethics because I was writing an article about other opinions and I had to keep my own bias out of the article. I felt it was somewhat of a struggle but overall I believe it was a good thing to only have teacher opinions on the article because they have more of an understanding of the test.
The lawmakers of Massachusetts made the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System in 1993. The first test was given in 1998 and scores didn’t impact individual students. In 2003 students were permitted to get a satisfactory score to graduate from high school.The assessment has been a reality for each Massachusetts student for 25 years and many people have strong opinions on it. So is it really necessary?
The Massachusetts Department of Higher Education states on its website that MCAS is a good way for parents and guardians to be able to check their children’s progression as well as the schools. Also it can help taxpayers see if they are getting a return for all the tax money that has been invested into the school systems.
“I do think it is important for what we call a summative assessment to understand the foundational principles of a science and that’s important to graduate,” Mr Tota, a science teacher, said. “Could it be a different method maybe, but I do think it is really important because you are going to have to take tests for your entire life.”
Many teachers are still looking for a replacement for MCAS and hope to find a better option. Some hope to replace the test with something that benefits all students.
“While I don't feel that the MCAS in its current form is effective, I am not opposed to the idea of an overall graduation testing requirement as a minor component of a much bigger picture.” said Mr Regan, a math teacher at BHS.
The Thrive Act in Massachusetts was established to address The issues related to MCAS being a graduation requirement and replace the standardized testing system with a new and improved one. If the thrive act is passed it will reorient curriculum to focus on what’s best for the whole child. The test has undermined students with Individualized Education Plans, students learning English as a second language and others for far too long.
“My feeling is that the issues go far deeper socially than simply replacing the decision makers within the administration. In other words, what the DOE [Department Of Education]has been doing, hasn't worked. It is time to rethink this and address the issues on an extremely local level” BHS Math teacher Mr. Regan said.
While some teachers are on the fence about MCAS others are ready for a change.
“I don't like standardized tests.” Ms. Janovitz, the English department chair, said.“I acknowledge that we need to make sure students have the essential skills to make it in the world after graduation but I don't believe that a standardized test can ensure that”.
The students of Massachusetts deserve a test that fairly assesses students with all learning styles taken into consideration.A test that will measure their problem solving skills and ways of thinking on a realistic scale.
Photo courtesy of pixabay
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