Children change rapidly and results from fourth grade may not be indicative of their current level of performance. If we could obtain results sooner, then we could implement an action plan during fifth grade to address the needs of students who had difficulty. We also do not get back copies of what students actually wrote on their open response questions, making it difficult to know how these questions were evaluated. A certain style of writing is required for the MCAS-paragraphs with topic sentences and supporting details. They also need to write more than just the personal narrati ves that have been the mainstay of many writing workshop programs.
Students write best when given time, choice, and opportunity for response from others.
MCAS creates artificial time barriers, eliminates choice, and does not allow for response. Also missing from MCAS are other genres of writing that students should learn, such as fiction, poetry, and, yes, research reports. And let's not forget the importance of developing a personal voice through writing. The time devoted to MCAS is excessive. The long composition must be given in one day.