Interesting Facts By Trinity In the UK, it is illegal to eat mince pies on Christmas. A flock of crows is known as a murder. Human saliva has a boiling point three times higher than water. Recycling one glass jar can save enough energy to watch TV for three hours. A small child could swim through the veins of a blue whale. Volume 8, Issue 4 A W S D February 2016 The BLOB The Best Literature on the Block Pros and Cons of Standardized Testing By Tessa Standardized testing. Practically everyone has taken the OAKS tests: math, reading, and science in 5th grade, but recently schools have introduced Smarter Balanced tests. Smarter Balanced does essentially the same thing as OAKS but scores on a different scale and asks for more student- generated answers. In addition, Smarter Balanced asks for students to complete two performance tasks, one in math, and the other in reading. For reading, students are asked to use materials given to them by the test to formulate an essay using information gathered from the given re- sources. In math, students are asked to solve a problem with multiple steps, such as plan a park path or give how much ma- terial is needed for any given project. Studies show that standardized tests have not helped aid the education system of the United States and have even pushed the U.S. further down. Also, standardized tests do not fairly test a student’s ability and discriminate toward those who are not flu- ent in English. These tests narrow the cur- riculum taught in American schools as well. Instead of a wide spread of instruc- tion, teachers tend to teach what is on the test rather than prepare students to move up in the world with a solid education. Speaking of instruction, boring test prepa- ration cuts into the time teachers have to teach subjects students will actually use later in life. On the upside, standardized tests are just and a reliable assessment of a student’s skill level. With all the regulations piled on top of testing, it is incredibly hard for any- one to cheat. To go along with that, all the students are given the same test, give or take, making it a fair accurate assess- ment. Needless to say, when you weigh the pros and the cons, the cons outweigh the pros by a longshot. So, with the cons outweighing the pros, why does the American education rely so heavily upon standardized testing? Mainly for the reasons previously listed: they are fair and, for lack of a better word, stand- ard. Standardized tests pose as an easy way to evaluate students and give accu- rate placing in classes as well. However, what these tests do not measure is any quality that is not directly related to math, science, reading, or writing. Smarter Bal- anced will not tell you if a student can cre- ate amazing artwork or if they can pick up a musical instrument and learn it quickly. These tests only show who can solve a math problem, who can write an essay, or who can analyze a reading passage. Should we actually continue to use stand- ardized tests? The cons definitely over- shadow the pros and most people say no but the reality of it is if we were to remove Smarter Balanced from the system, then another test would be put in place. That being said, it is likely that something will change in the future with the amount of controversy about standardized testing across the country. Standardized testing in a way has taken over American schools, but will likely continue to be used.
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Interesting
Facts
By Trinity
In the UK, it is
illegal to eat
mince pies on
Christmas.
A flock of
crows is
known as a
murder.
Human saliva
has a boiling
point three
times higher
than water.
Recycling one
glass jar can
save enough
energy to
watch TV for
three hours.
A small child
could swim
through the
veins of a
blue whale.
Volume 8, Issue 4
A W S D
February 2016
The BLOB
The Best Literature on
the Block
Pros and Cons of Standardized Testing By Tessa
Standardized testing. Practically everyone
has taken the OAKS tests: math, reading,
and science in 5th grade, but recently
schools have introduced Smarter Balanced
tests. Smarter Balanced does essentially
the same thing as OAKS but scores on a
different scale and asks for more student-
generated answers. In addition, Smarter
Balanced asks for students to complete
two performance tasks, one in math, and
the other in reading. For reading, students
are asked to use materials given to them
by the test to formulate an essay using
information gathered from the given re-
sources. In math, students are asked to
solve a problem with multiple steps, such
as plan a park path or give how much ma-
terial is needed for any given project.
Studies show that standardized tests have
not helped aid the education system of the
United States and have even pushed the
U.S. further down. Also, standardized tests
do not fairly test a student’s ability and
discriminate toward those who are not flu-
ent in English. These tests narrow the cur-
riculum taught in American schools as
well. Instead of a wide spread of instruc-
tion, teachers tend to teach what is on the
test rather than prepare students to move
up in the world with a solid education.
Speaking of instruction, boring test prepa-
ration cuts into the time teachers have to
teach subjects students will actually use
later in life.
On the upside, standardized tests are just
and a reliable assessment of a student’s
skill level. With all the regulations piled on
top of testing, it is incredibly hard for any-
one to cheat. To go along with that, all the
students are given the same test, give or
take, making it a fair accurate assess-
ment. Needless to say, when you weigh the
pros and the cons, the cons outweigh the
pros by a longshot.
So, with the cons outweighing the pros,
why does the American education rely so
heavily upon standardized testing? Mainly
for the reasons previously listed: they are
fair and, for lack of a better word, stand-
ard. Standardized tests pose as an easy
way to evaluate students and give accu-
rate placing in classes as well. However,
what these tests do not measure is any
quality that is not directly related to math,
science, reading, or writing. Smarter Bal-
anced will not tell you if a student can cre-
ate amazing artwork or if they can pick up
a musical instrument and learn it quickly.
These tests only show who can solve a
math problem, who can write an essay, or
who can analyze a reading passage.
Should we actually continue to use stand-
ardized tests? The cons definitely over-
shadow the pros and most people say no
but the reality of it is if we were to remove
Smarter Balanced from the system, then
another test would be put in place. That
being said, it is likely that something will
change in the future with the amount of
controversy about standardized testing
across the country. Standardized testing in
a way has taken over American schools,
but will likely continue to be used.
Page 2
Dear Bloberta
Sports By Trinity
February 2016
By ?
Dear Bloberta,
Lately, it feels like my parents won’t stop fighting. A lot of the time it’s just for stupid
little things, but I can’t do anything to intervene. Sometimes they go without speak-
ing for days while living in the same house. I’m afraid they’re just staying together so
it’s better for me, but it’s not. I don’t like seeing them both so unhappy. What can I
do?
Sincerely,
Afraid
Dear Afraid,
It can be very hard to be stuck in the middle when your parents aren’t getting along.
The most important thing to do is communicate with them in the best way you can. If
they’re really fighting, either go to a friend’s house or find something you like to do
to get your mind off of it. If you feel you need to, ask them if you can sit and talk with
them about it. It’s important to understand they might be going through a difficult
time and they’re just doing their best. In the end, it’s most important that you com-
municate and keep an open mind toward them.
Sincerely,
Bloberta
The junior high Tigerscot basketball teams according to Mrs. Dennis have
had a tremendous amount of improvement. Dennis also says, " A-team's
greatest strength is being able to play as one and not always arguing. B-
team's greatest strength is effort and strong defense. C-team's greatest
strength is always giving 100 percent in every game." All the teams have not
won many games, but they have all had fun this season. The managers were
Tenley A. and Samantha W. They have both done phenomenal jobs at keep
the scores straight.
The last practice was extremely exciting and a little sad for the eighth grad-
ers. The eighth graders got to pick which activity they wanted to do, they
mostly played bumb. The last game was at Central, sadly all teams came
away with a loss. Even though they ended the season with a loss everyone
is happy with the way the season went and had fun playing this year.
Monthly Poll
Tip of the Month By Cade
By Jazlynne
Volume 8, Issue 4 Page 3
Spring is just around the corner. With Spring on
its way, you should start getting your gardens
ready. You should probably get your seeds and pot-
ting soil in advance. Also, start preparing a spot