This is the first time she will administer the MAT and she doesn't want to make any mistakes. Paperwork is spread across several desks. The bell rings and the students rush up the stairs. Miss Ratliff stands by the door, sending the children into the classroom. They have been preparing for this test all year, following the core curriculum while focusing on specific skills they need to improve based on last year's results.
Nothing is left to chance.
Principal Mildretta Hughes told the children to get a good night's sleep before taking the test, to eat a good breakfast and to get to school on time. Although the MEAP is the test that gets all of the headlines because it allows comparison between districts in the state in select grades and subjects, the MAT is the test that directly affects Miss Ratliff's classroom. It is the test that takes a snapshot, every year, of every student in science, math and reading. Miss Roslyn Ratliff leads her class from the auditorium after a rally to promote this month's MAT testing. This year, as the district struggles with reform, the results from this test will thunder through the entire educational system.