I made it to the fitness center for another 30-minute workout on the
bike. I only mention it as a way to cheer myself on. Although you may
be tired of hearing about it, I feel a need to mark down every time I
get proper exercise. I think so far I’m getting in a GOOD workout about
five times a week.

Benjamin is taking his MCAS exams now.
They’re standardized, state-wide assessment tests to make sure school
systems are churning out students who can accomplish minimum levels of
achievement. Some people feel that it forces the teachers to gear too
much of their curriculum towards an exteranl device (like the test)
rather than teaching what they feel the kids as a whole need. For
instance, maybe this particular batch of third graders need to work on
their multiplication tables while that group need to work on spelling
more. Some people feel the MCAS takes away a teacher’s flexibility to
address the specific needs of his/her students.

I have to confess that I don’t agree with them.

I
think its vitally important to help failing schools and systems and the
only way you can do that is by measuring apples to apples. I think the
MCAS is a valuable tool that can be used to identify weak areas that
may otherwise go unaddressed.

Last year Ben was worried about
the test, but after Liz explained it was really a test about his
teacher he stopped worrying about it. His teacher is also confident
that her students will do well.

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