Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) is Required By State Law

 

 

"I don't wanna take the test..."

 

 



Yes, there are many homes hearing that plea and complaint.  And the reasons from not taking it range from "there are too many tests, I took the ___ five times already, this doesn't count for anything who cares" to I don't want to so I can run around with my friend on another skip day you approved.

The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCAs) is state law that came about due to Federal law and No Child Left Behind.  This is not a Minneapolis rule or a Southwest rule.  It a requirement of the state of Minnesota.

Now one fact is very true, there is no cut score and how a student scores on the test has nothing to do with graduation.  However, the law says a student has to take it in order to receive a diploma.

The MCAs are an accountability piece.  The legislators want to see that the funds they allocate are producing the results they required.  So don't take the test.  Let the legislators see that accountability is a sham.  If the percentage of participation drops I can guarantee you another round of mandated state tests.

The second part of that, the the personal part for us, the legislators seem to find ways to pit one group of schools against another.  Thus, if the percentage of participation goes down and the average test results go down, one more time the legislators can explain that certain schools are not making the grade.

Researchers have determined the more exposure (take the test) you have to a long test, the better you do each time.  If you are interested in raising your score on the ACT or SAT then this is one way to do it and it is required anyway.

Do we test kids too much?  YES.  Your approval for your child to skip the state reguired test is not the way to demonstrate a protest.  Vote out those legislators that support this massive expenditure of public funds for no productive purpose.