Testing: What’s the Point?

By Karina Lua

As you should know by now, the second week of March, sophomores and some freshmen took the science part of OAKS, Juniors will take the Smarter Balance for English in April and math in will be in May.

Some students might feel overwhelmed with lots of tests, but Principal Vaughan says, “We have to take OAK’s testing because it's a requirement for the state, and [state education officials] have to know how the teachers are doing teaching the students.”

She says it benefits students because it shows whether they have essential skills; it helps with applying for college, and it shows students’ “strengths and weaknesses in the subject they are learning.”

Principal Vaughan also says it benefits the staff because it shows how much the students have grown in the subject. These tests only affect students’ grades in terms of participation because that's what teachers grade.

Ms. Vaughan emphasizes that students should try their best on these tests because it shows them how much they know about the subject. She likes the testing because it shows how well or how poorly the students are doing, and it helps teachers know what to work on more with the students.

Principal Vaughan says it's good to try on state testing because it not only makes you look good , but it also makes the school look good. Instead of stressing out, just try your best, and DON'T FALL ASLEEP!