Reading, Writing, and Multiple Choice

[Steve <bboy_mn@yahoo.com>]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, "Richelle Votaw" <rvotaw at i...>
wrote:
> 
> bboy_mn wrote:
> 
> > We live in the age of 'multiple choice'. When was the last time 
> > any kid actually had to write anything? One of the ways to improve
> > your writing is to write. The more you do it, assume you are 
> > actually interested in getting better, the better you get. 
> > 
> > To what extent are kids required to write in the US educational
> > system today?
> 
> More all the time. In Louisiana, in order to pass fourth grade (9
and 10 year olds) students must pass the LEAP test. No multiple
choice, all written response.  ...
>
> ...edited...
> 
> Richelle


bboy_mn:

GulPlum took the words right out of my mouth. Reading this restores my
faith in the US educational system, and of all places Louisiana. 

Sorry about the Louisiana remark, but Louisiana doesn't carry the
stereotype of being the most sophisticated place in the US. Generally,
and again with apologies, the stereotype of someone from Louisiana is
an uneducated swamp dwelling moonshine making cousin marrying... ah...
I want to say hillbillie but their aren't any hills. Spend a few
months in Fort Polk, LA; all red sand and trees. 

However, what you said makes it sound, more accurately I'm sure, like
a very progressive state with an equally progressive, productive, and
  effective educational system. You must have some very cooperative
politicians in your state. 

Minnesota, while it has adopted some standards, constantly runs into
the worhtless, in my opinion, argument that if you have mandatory
testing then the teachers will teach the test. The other argument is
that it will stifle creative teachers and progressive schools. I don't
buy either one of those arguments myself. Luckly, in general,
Minnesota has a high standard of education.

Anyway, the way your school is doing it makes perfect sense. It's
simple and straight forward, and it deals with the actual problem
rather than the symptoms. Plus, it doesn't seem to have been modified
to pacify various special interests. I think, with the limited
knowledge I have, that it could easily serve as a model for the whole
country. 

Anyway, thanks for responding, and it truly was a relief to know that
someone out there actually got it right.

Now I will end with one final apology for re-enforcing southern
stereotypes. Stereotypes that couldn't possibly be more wrong. Hope I
didn't go to far.

with respect,

bboy_mn