I doubt these third-graders in Savannah (GA) had planned to spend their Spring Break in Daytona Beach, but I'm sure they'd rather be somewhere besides the classroom:
About 1,100 third-graders who need extra help to pass the reading portion of a state standardized exam in a little more than a week, were invited to give up a traditional spring break in exchange for a more educational one. Third-graders who don't pass the reading portion won't advance to fourth grade, according to a state law now in effect. So being prepared to pass is crucial.
Roughly 75 percent, or 854 kids, took the school system up on the intensive Third-Grade Reading Camp offer, and have been attending school for three hours each day this week. Educators say they believe results will be positive – more kids will pass the exam.
The test they're preparing for is indeed the same CRCT that James Hope is so unhappy with (in the previous post, below). This article provides links to sample items, none of which seem as strange as the one Hope cites.
I particularly like #5, too, because the most recent lead singer of my boyfriend's band was named "Goat."
Posted by kswygert at April 16, 2004 10:09 AM