As a senior, who had to take (but not pass) the Math WASL in order to graduate, I strongly feel that it was a waste of serious time. I haven't taken that level (geometry) of math since like 9th grade. Sure they give you a sorta cheat sheet to assist you in attempting to remember how to successfully solve various "triangle" equations and related circle circumference problems. Are they kidding themselves? I can't remember what I learned 3 weeks ago much less 3 years. Their attempt at measuring our knowledge is noble but I believe the 3 hours a day of testing could've been better spent on something we'll actually use in life. If seniors (0r any grade for that matter)HAD to be there and do some sort of academia, why not give a 3 hour guide on the cost of moving out, going to college, owning a car or something that we will actually use in the near future instead of explaining how you arrived at an answer that you don't care about.
Many of the seniors that I know prepared for their "epically" important math WASL using the following steps:
1. Wake up and perform morning routine
2. Drink some sort of high caffeine drink
3. Receive WASL booklet
4. Pick randomly selected answers on multiple choice problems and/or put as little effort into longer "analysis" questions. Maybe draw a doodle for more mathematical effect.
5. Finish WASL ridiculously early and sleep
Does the school district or even the State not realize how little we care about this standardized test? Seniors are less than 2 months away from walking out of high school and into our future lives. If this test is standing in the way of our coming lives, sure we may fill in the bubbles but most of us don't care about the ending result as long as it has "diploma" written in the answer somewhere. What a waste of public funded school hours (and trees for the "green" people).
Hailey Van Meter
Henry Foss High School
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3 comments:
I totally agree. Good thoughts on that topic.
Interesting insights, Hailey. Thanks for posting them! Debby
Hello Hailey,
I read your article and I totally disagree. Yes, most people do not use the math we learn in school at our every day jobs. As a successful working adult, you must learn to look at problems and figure out how to solve them. This is what math does. It teaches our brain to work through problems and solve them. What you are describing is plain laziness. People in the financial, science, analytical, and medical fields use equations in their job every day. Most people who are good at math have some of the highest paying jobs. Look at a Retail Sales Manager - do they use math? Of course they do. You should not assume all students think testing is a waste of time. Some of those students will grow up to be your financial advisor.
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