Two weeks ago, high school students were introduced to six weeks tests. In the past, students became accustomed to nine weeks tests, but that changed.
“I hate having to take tests. It fries my brain,” said sophomore Melissa Lira.
“If I would have had more time to prepare for my tests I think my results would have been better.”
Some students were ready for their tests while other students thought otherwise.
“I was only prepared for a couple of my tests,” said sophomore Karen Rodriguez. “The rest was kind of like a surprise.”
Not all students felt ready to take the tests according to Rodriguez; other students however had the proper material they needed to ensure they passed.
“I was prepared for all of my tests in every class,” Lira said.
Students got used to taking tests on paper with answer sheets or scantrons. The district officials require the tests online and neither the teachers nor the students look forward to it.
“I would have rather had it on paper because it helps you think more and you could have shown your work,” Lira said.
Feedback lets the teachers know how they need to improve certain areas of their curriculum to help their students become better prepared.
“I asked my students for feedback. As a teacher I didn’t have to take it; they did and they didn’t like it. They like having a hard copy to write on,” said history teacher Teresa Powell.
Powell and English teacher Kari Harris both agree that they would rather give nine weeks tests.
“I prefer nine weeks,” Harris said. “It allows us more time to ensure mastery of the concepts for our students. I also believe that any time we begin a new program, there is a period of adjustment. And once the students understand the expectations, they will perform better.”
Decisions of six week or nine weeks tests are up to district officials, not the administrators.
“We don’t really have an option in it. We were asked to generate six weeks tests and determine mastery in the six weeks so we did,” Assistant Principal Steven Valkenaar said. “Six weeks tests are meant to assess mastery of the content for the grading period. It’s preparing them for the EOC or TAKS. It helps evaluate how well you do in class.”
Taking the test online made for conversation in the school. Valkenaar cleared the air about why the tests are required online.
“Teachers get immediate data and can give feedback to students more quickly since it’s online,” Valkenaar said.
Administrators plan to continue the process of online six weeks testing to ensure quicker results.
