District Testing.   

Do We Need It?

Everybody always complains about NWEA and M-STEP testing. Do we really need these district tests? Some people like it, but complain about having 2 tests. Do we really know the theory behind these tests? Surely the district has its reasons.

Husain Saad an 8th grader in Unis Middle School says, “ I feel like they (the district) give it to us (the M-STEP) for fun” He also said “ I would like to keep the NWEA because it shows me what I have accomplished. It does affect me when I get a bad score because I can’t be smart if i got a  score like that another scary thing is that if we don’t get a good score while in advanced math you could drop back down to regular math”. I can see why everybody feels that way, It’s a very long test that gets you bored. as Ali Mourtada a 6th grader in Unis middle school said, “It gets you really bored and annoyed so you just don’t want to do it any more and start to wastes time”.  Then everybody asks why do we have to take this test.

I took it upon myself to call and ask the head of the district testing facility, and ask this question that is on every students mind. Dr. Daniel said ,” The NWEA is given to us because it helps teachers see where their students are at. That way they can give them things to do that are at their level”. Now concerning the M-STEP the Dr. said “The M-STEP is a federal state rule and its more complex than the NWEA. It tests you mostly to show if you’re ready to go college, it tests core standards.

”Whats a teacher’s perspective on the district tests. We know the students don’t really enjoy it but how about the teachers. The teachers like a few things about the NWEA but don’t like the M-STEP at all. Mrs.Bartley says “I like the NWEA Because it shows their progress what I don’t like is that the district has a specific score you must get”. She also said “I want to get rid of the M-STEP because we don’t get the score until next year so we can’t help our students improve”. Teachers like the NWEA and dislike the M-STEP.

There’s a misunderstanding about district testing. I think the district should explain why they give their tests. It would really convince a lot of students and maybe even encourage them to better. That way they can prove to themselves their ready for college and at a good grade level.

Mohamad Mourtada

A Unis Middle School Journalist