Notes on My New Feature: "The Test Generation"
In Harrison Distict 2--a low-income, predominantly Latino school district in Colorado Springs--students at every grade level sit for pencil and paper tests in every subject, including art, music, and even physical education.
On their gym class exam, first-graders are asked to draw a picture of how to position's one's hands while catching a ball. In art, they are asked to identify three shapes within this Picasso cubist portrait. In music, they clap along to the beat of a song as it is played aloud.
The purpose of these tests is to collect student achievement "growth" data in order to assess teachers and award them merit pay. The typical Harrison child will sit for standardized exams about 25 days each school year.