NYS Common Core Tests Expect More From Students Than The Questions Require
If you ask 8 year olds how two things are similar and different, most will respond in a few sentences. When NYS asks 8 year olds how two things are similar and different they expect students to respond with a well constructed essay that includes an introduction & conclusion (among several other criteria).
Teachers are all for teaching essay structure in their writing workshops. When it is time for students to demonstrate their writing skills, it is the responsibility of the teacher to clearly define the expectations of the essay- especially for an 8 year old. Teachers wouldn’t penalize students for not including something in their essay if it wasn’t in the criteria to begin with. Yet, that is exactly what NYS does.
Here is the question NYSED asked third graders. After reading the passage, most third graders could answer this question in a few sentences:
The author provides many details about how sea turtles are similar to and different
from each other. How is a leatherback sea turtle similar to aNYS Common Core Tests Expect More From Students Than The Questions Require | lacetothetop: