MCA tests

High school MCA tests are beginning statewide this week. This morning on MPR there was an interesting segment regarding a new test for Minnesota juniors. This is an 85 question math test. Some of the questions are designed to see if high schools are meeting the needs of the students (teacher accountability), and some of the questions are to determine if the student is prepared for life outside of high school. The state is still debating if students who fail this test should be denied their diploma.

What I found most interesting in this segment was a program used at Edina high school. This is a math program where students who are deficient in math are "taught the test." Their areas of weakness are determined via a computer test, then teachers base their lessons on these lacking skills. Students then practice these skills on the computer. It is a differentiated math class, but the teacher still teaches a lesson designed for everyone in the class. Then students work on the computer to complete assignments designed especially for them at their level.

MPR interviewed a few of these students who actually feel confident now that they can pass the test because of this class. Just another interesting way technology is being used to benefit students and offer some confidence to students who are continuously told they are "below average" in ability.