This year, LAUSD implemented a new form of testing to get a better gage on student abilities. This took teachers and students by surprise when the district announced that all students, including seniors, had two weeks to take the test.
AMPA sophomore Lula Hartlembger said, “I think it’s dumb, I don’t think we need it. Half of the stuff we don’t even learn. It’s just bad.”
The district’s reasoning behind switching the test was that the Renaissance test was not able to cover all the information that the district wanted to test, according to Hamilton’s testing and intervention coordinator Ms. Pitts. The Renaissance test had 34 questions that took students an average of 30 minutes to complete, whereas the new iReady test has twice the amount of questions and takes students an average of 90 minutes to complete. This does allow the district to better determine students’ levels in English and math. However, students do not enjoy the new test length.
The new test also implemented something new: Mandatory breaks between certain tests. These breaks require that once students get through certain parts of the test, they must stop and rest. This allows students to better manage their time and stress, but an abundance of students, especially seniors, were frustrated, and said they found it unnecessary for the breaks to be mandatory.
Haide Martinez, a senior in CAA, said, “It takes forever, it’s tiring just having to sit in the classroom forever.” This proposes the question of whether or not the switch is effective.
Although students have generally negative views on testing, Hamilton staff hope that the required testing is taken seriously by students.
When asked why students should take state and district testing seriously, Ms. Pitts stated, “Anything you have to commit your time to doing should be done so with regards.”
Lastly, Ms. Pitts wants to inform students on the significance that this testing has for students when they enter college. CSU’s and community colleges do look at state testing such as the SBA test to determine placement in classes.
While students and administration have different opinions on whether or not state testing should continue, ultimately state testing will continue, and our schools should prepare our students for different aspects of testing.
“Testing provides data to identify student learning and personalized lessons to accelerate learning,” said Ms. Pitts.
Additionally, the schedule below provides insight on upcoming tests for the 2024 Spring semester.
*AP Math Students Exempt
