The state-sanctioned form of child abuse known as the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) has started this week at Camp Nickleby. Yesterday was devoted to filling in bubbles on the English portion. Today, the campers will be filling in bubbles on the math portion of the test.
It is generally agreed that this test proves nothing. Kids pass it and still are not able to write or crunch numbers as well as Bill Gates or members of the Business Roundtable believe they should. It only measures what they know in the middle of their sophomore year. High schools, however, are judged failures if the kiddies do poorly on stuff they should have learned in middle school. The passing percentage is around 55%, which is considered failing on any other test given during the school year. It all makes so much sense to me.
Yesterday, I noticed one of my sophomore kids crying. He struggles with autism, but is an incredibly accomplished artist. What he can do with a No. 2 pencil is amazing. I am envious of his work! I asked him why he was crying and he simply said, “I took the CAHSEE today!”
Why is this not considered child abuse and punishable by law?
It is generally agreed that this test proves nothing. Kids pass it and still are not able to write or crunch numbers as well as Bill Gates or members of the Business Roundtable believe they should. It only measures what they know in the middle of their sophomore year. High schools, however, are judged failures if the kiddies do poorly on stuff they should have learned in middle school. The passing percentage is around 55%, which is considered failing on any other test given during the school year. It all makes so much sense to me.
Yesterday, I noticed one of my sophomore kids crying. He struggles with autism, but is an incredibly accomplished artist. What he can do with a No. 2 pencil is amazing. I am envious of his work! I asked him why he was crying and he simply said, “I took the CAHSEE today!”
Why is this not considered child abuse and punishable by law?
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