It is an issue causing me anxiety. We are going to basically have to use our own forms and do it by paper and pencil this year. Schools were required to give the state a copy of the local assessment plan last month. Schools also will get the opportunity to practice for the statewide writing assessments with Educational Service Unit 9, which is based in Hastings. The ESU has trained teachers in the six traits method and will offer an analytical score and practice test for teachers who request it, said Barb Elliott, director of professional development.
Many local teachers are interested in an analytical score.
We're organizing an ESU 9 regional writing assessment which is kind of a practice. Schools send in the papers, and we're going to do it just like the state. We will score analytically, so each school will get a score on the students they send in. While private schools aren't required by the state to follow the standards and assessments, Hastings Catholic Schools are participating in order to be prepared, said St. Cecilia Principal Marie Butler. Cathie Genung, an English and journalism teacher at St. Cecilia, said she is working to make sure her students can succeed with the new standards.