tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6540771071400993487.post7954567529652856443..comments2024-03-27T07:14:36.800-04:00Comments on <b>Dawn Potter</b>: Dawn Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07500960150846895633noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6540771071400993487.post-85721615920007240192012-03-17T05:35:19.157-04:002012-03-17T05:35:19.157-04:00The standardized writing test is (fortunately and ...The standardized writing test is (fortunately and UNfortunately) designed to look mostly at making an argument, formulating ideas from compilations of data and information, and NOT at all about being creative. We need so much more. As a school board member, I am constantly frustrated by this. I think there IS value in not so much "playing the game," but in understanding what is wanted to meet what standard is being assessed. It is a bigger conversation we must hold with young writers and young anythings as a matter of fact. Hmmmm. So the numbers get skewed for a school because kids look at writing not the way the testers and assessors do... well well. So be it. We (writers) know what we know and are the interveners with these kids. Or we ought to be. This is one reason I am EMPHATIC in support of Writers in the Schools programs. Maine needs a comprehensive program that reaches all our kids. So much better for them to have real world exemplars. Getting off my well-trod soapbox for now. Bravo to Paul for his approach and efforts with his stories.Carol Willette Bachofnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10851607014763514265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6540771071400993487.post-54041478032369441252012-03-15T10:32:40.244-04:002012-03-15T10:32:40.244-04:00I've talked to him about the value of at least...I've talked to him about the value of at least learning to "play the game," although clearly it's not in an artist's long-term creative interest to focus on pleasing the powers that be, whatever it does for his or her standardized tests score. Still, that doesn't make the score itself any less maddening to anyone who knows better.Dawn Potterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07500960150846895633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6540771071400993487.post-76293940987710915342012-03-15T10:21:19.116-04:002012-03-15T10:21:19.116-04:00In my experience, a student like Paul most likely ...In my experience, a student like Paul most likely wrote a far better essay in 1 page than those who filed all the pages. When more equals better, good students lose unless they "play the game".Ruthnoreply@blogger.com