Our schools and teachers are getting basic English composition skills to students. The writing test is arguably the easiest of the basic standards test. Since there is no right answer, no time limit, and no minimum requirement. Passing students wrote anywhere from a few paragraphs to a few pages on their assigned topic. Students must simply prove they can write a clear message in English, with a beginning, middle and end.
Officials see it as basic skills needed to function after high school.
The test is also used to show if students are on track for the Profile of Learning graduation requirements. Critics of the test are warning people to not get to excited. They say the writing test is the easiest for teachers to instruct their students on how to pass. Principal Steve Lindberg says, since their academic probation in 1999, they have focused much of their attention on increasing tutoring opportunities and improving attendance. Superintendent Pat Harvey has pointed to improvements in attendance throughout the state as a reason for the improvement in achievement.