| At one time, students could rely on the fact that their | | | | Currently, the statistics regarding overall performance |
| hands would get terribly sore while writing the final | | | | of the students who take the English 12 Provincial |
| tests of their year. Undoubtedly our happy pupils would | | | | Exam are low. Overall, the percentages range from |
| fret, mostly because they would run out of the time | | | | the lower 50's to the middle 70's across the board. (I |
| prescribed - before they were able to complete their | | | | have attached a link to the Fraser Institutes portfolio of |
| tasks. The inability to complete the tests usually had | | | | school achievement as a reference.) The Fraser |
| less to do with content or confusion, and more to do | | | | Institute is considered to be the governing body of |
| with 'Mano Dexterity Deficit Syndrome'. This highly | | | | educational statistics in British Columbia. There are |
| infectious condition has grown in popularity since the | | | | many anti-Fraser Institute proponents discrediting their |
| advent of computers. Today, the largest proportion of | | | | reporting practices and policies. However, regardless |
| high school students notice symptoms of the condition | | | | of the mixed messages associated with the report, |
| increasing towards the end of January or during the | | | | one thing is abundantly clear. Our kids are struggling to |
| middle of June. This malady often coincides with final | | | | achieve a decent English 12 grade, based on the |
| exams, but it also manifests itself in students who | | | | exams which represent 40% of their final marks. Unlike |
| have an abundance of unfinished assignments or | | | | other exams, the English 12 Provincial exam is very |
| projects yet to be handed in to their beloved | | | | subjective. The tests are not at all graded the same |
| instructors. | | | | way that Biology or Math tests are graded. They are |
| Parents need not worry, as the condition applies only | | | | based upon an artistic nuance that other exams |
| to students who are currently enrolled in programs in | | | | can’t measure since other tests are equation |
| which essays or paragraph writing is required in order | | | | based. English is an art and providing that the student |
| to pass a course. Fortunately for the students, it does | | | | can express their words correctly, and display a |
| disappear intermittently particularly while students are | | | | deeper understanding of Prose or Poetry, a scale |
| seated in front of their favorite computer games. | | | | mark of up to six will be awarded. If the student does |
| These medicinal games may include the likes of: Age | | | | not display a command of literary devices or figurative |
| of Empire, World of War Craft, Heavenly Sword or | | | | language, the mark will usually sit at about a three. This |
| Call of Duty. This is not an exhausted list by any | | | | equates to approximately 52% on the test. The |
| means, and there are plenty of these miracle cures | | | | student could be achieving over 90% in class and still |
| available. | | | | only grade in the averages previously illustrated. |
| For many years, I have heard students tell me that | | | | As every parent knows, this grade translates and/or |
| they thought the Provincial Exams should be done | | | | represents the future for our kids. It is true that |
| exclusively by computer. Well my friends, their dreams | | | | students are offered the opportunity to retake the test. |
| are quickly becoming a reality. In fact, as early as the | | | | However, most kids will never retake the Provincial |
| April 2008 the sitting of the English 12 Provincial Exam, | | | | Exam. They are happy to have completed it once! If |
| some students in Chilliwack took their first exams via | | | | our kids take the computerized version, and they deal |
| the computer. | | | | with the awkwardness of the test, and lose marks as |
| And the results are mixed. | | | | a direct result of the test flaws, can we assume that |
| Since most educators have not experienced many | | | | students will grade lower not because of their |
| computer based exams as of yet, it will be interesting | | | | comprehension, but because of the awkwardness of |
| to see how tests delivered in this forum will affect the | | | | the test. Will the results be questionable if the majority |
| overall performance of our kids. | | | | of these kids succumb to the learning curve and lose |
| As an educator, I have found that some students | | | | precious marks because they were not expecting to |
| loved it - while others unfortunately found it very | | | | do the test in the format presented to them? |
| confusing. | | | | In many ways, the advantages of the computer are |
| One student remarked that it was "difficult to toggle | | | | indisputable. But in other instances, they offer question. |
| between screens". He felt that if he moved around | | | | Students have been practicing the exam with a piece |
| amongst the pages, he would lose the work he had | | | | of paper and a black felt pen and some students have |
| already done. Since time is of the essence on the | | | | had plenty of practice in their classes, while others |
| exam, whether paper based or via technology, his fear | | | | have had little to no exposure to the tests. Frankly, |
| was entirely reasonable. The most difficult thing to | | | | many of these kids will not pass this test - simply |
| regulate, as a student, is time. Students remarked that | | | | because of the unfamiliarity of its delivery. I want your |
| because the format felt unfamiliar to them, and | | | | kids to succeed. I want your kids to understand what it |
| because they had no practice in their perspective | | | | is that is in front of them. |
| classes at high school, that it was even more arduous | | | | I urge you to talk to your kids, and help them to see |
| than the tests had been in their former state. People | | | | what they are up against. This June, many schools will |
| often say "be careful of what you ask for..........” It | | | | offer the English Provincials by computer. Before your |
| seems that this anecdote is true in this situation as well. | | | | kids are subject to this new way of grading their skills, |
| A learning curve applies to all students at all grade | | | | have a peek at the Ministry of Educations home page, |
| levels. It takes time to perfect any skill, and although | | | | and have your kids surf it. Have a look at the test |
| writing perfection is not mandatory to pass grade 12, it | | | | samples as they become available. There are no |
| is relevant when a student needs to show an outside | | | | costs associated with the ministry’s webpage and |
| entity that they can perform the tasks necessary for | | | | anyone can access most of the information. A |
| life outside of high school. | | | | majority of our kids already know about this page but |
| In my opinion, it is difficult enough to concentrate on the | | | | as a parent, you may find it very useful. |
| multitude of tests required to pass with marks | | | | I am the Right Choice Educational Programs and |
| sufficient enough to secure a standing at a reputable | | | | Tutoring Services. I am independent of all affiliations |
| university, without adding the learning curve issues | | | | and educational institutions. As a private tutor, I am |
| associated with technology. Perhaps, if students are | | | | available for online or private English lessons. I invite |
| practiced in taking the online tests the issue would be a | | | | you to visit my web page. Perhaps there is something |
| moot point. To my knowledge, students have not been | | | | of interest for you or for your kids. |
| instructed as to how the test will delivered on the | | | | We may not be able to keep up with the changes we |
| computer since the test is being ushered in to 2008. By | | | | experience with our kids, but you can make the right |
| 2010, all Provincial examinations will be taken primarily | | | | choice today at Right Choice Ed! |
| online. | | | | |