When your child returns to school, the school has make-up sessions for those students who were absent.

You can't refuse the test for your child, but you can keep him home during the entore test wondow, which is something like 4 weeks, so you probably have to actually withdraw the child from school those weeks and then reenroll the child.

Since everybody seems to unanimously hate No Child Left Behind, why is this not more of a central issue in elections and why aren't parents fighting this harder, putting their foot down, etc.? And can a parent refuse to have their child take the tests? What happens? We're just aging into this educational travesty.

PP, I bet you anthing that OP's child wasn't referring to a one time run through of the MSA test protocols, but rather is talking about using workbook like MSA "Finish Line" to practice MSA type questions.

There are reasons why schools have practice MSA tests. Let's begin with the "average" student in a general-ed classroom. The majority of students take the MSA test in their homeroom classroom, with their homeroom teacher. However, the classroom set-up, rules, and time constraints are very different than what students encounter on a daily basis. Desks are rearranged in rows, specific rules are in place regarding what kinds of questions test administrators may respond to, and these are timed tests. Everything is different, and the students need to be familiar with the changes in the physical arrangement in the classroom, as well as be familiar with test-taking strategies, and completing tasks within a specified timeframe. It's quite possible that your 3rd - 5th grade child may be asked to read a passage and respond to several multiple choice questions, as well as up to three "BCRs" (Brief Constructed Responses - which just means write out your answer in complete sentences and use text evidence to support your response) in let's say 30 minutes. That may sound like an easy task, but 8 - 10 year-olds have a harder time with concise written responses that include relevant text support. Practice sessions allow students the opportunity to experience a timed test, so that they can better learn how to manage their time. Additionally, teachers have the opportunity to see who is struggling with certain tasks, and can then provide meaningful feedback to students.

What many parents may not consider is the fact that there are many students who receive testing accommodations for a variety of reasons (student may have an IEP, 504 plan, ESOL student, RELL, etc.) These students leave their regular classroom, receive instructions from a testing administrator that they possibly have never worked with before, and likely will receive their individual accommodations from yet another adult in the building. So many teachers are involved in testing. Scheduling is impacted greatly, as so many staff members are involved during the testing window. Both students and adults need to become familiar with each other if they are paired together during testing. There is just so much involved, that "practicing" is essential so that the actual testing days run smoothly.

I hate the approach. The teacher was obsessed with that MSA test since I met him first at the conference in November. The system needs to change!

In our school the test is scheduled to be given mid-march so it's not that far away. When is it given in your school?

Usually the lower scoring schools start practicing early. How have the test scores been at your child's school recently?

Our school sent home the MSA packets over winter break so the kids could "get a head start". Yes, very sad.

I think it's more than bizarre, it's sad. I have a 3rd grader in MCPS and fortunately her class is not spending time on that yet.

My 3rd grader told me that her class is studying for the MSA test in class. We're new to MCPS. Is this for real? Studying in Jan. for a standardized test that will take place in the spring? I asked my DC why the class is studying for the MSA and she said "b/c the school gets a grade on it." Am I the only one that thinks this is bizarre?