Sophomores prepare for standardized tests

Blair sophomores took part in an MSA/HSA-style practice test administered in English classes on Thursday, March 3 and Friday, March 4. The test was graded by Blair's entire faculty on Monday, March 7. The intent was to familiarize students with the format of standardized tests, according to Assistant Principal Linda Wolf.

The 45-minute test created by the Instructional Leadership Team was comprised of a Brief Constructed Response (BCR) and 17 selected response questions. English teachers in 90-minute block classes also had the option of administering an Extended Constructed Response (ECR) in addition to the other sections, according to English Department Resource Teacher and MSA/HSA Workgroup member Vickie Adamson. On March 7, Blair's faculty was divided into 55 groups of four to five teachers in order to score the BCR responses based on the Maryland HSA rubric.

The BCR question, in particular, focused on reading comprehension, asking the students to analyze the poem "John Chapman" by Mary Oliver and explain why Chapman was a good legend in order to test students' reading and writing skills. "It's a complicated test because [students] are being assessed on how they read [and write]," said Adamson. "Students have to develop their writing skills simultaneously with their reading skills." Adamson also commented that students must learn to look deeper into the text rather than just focusing on the overall theme or idea. "We need students to interpret details," said Adamson. "The [standardized] tests say, 'Look at this. Find something significant and talk about it.'"

Another purpose of the test was to allow teachers to analyze the writing capabilities of the sophomore class, while learning how BCRs are graded on standardized tests. "It was for us to become more familiar with the skills students are expected to attain," said Wolf.

Despite Blair's failure to meet the minimum required percentage of passing scores on standardized tests, Wolf praised the students' writing skills on the BCRs. "What we did see overall is that our students are pretty good," said Wolf.

Although the writing may seem up to par, Wolf noted that practice tests and activities will continue to be given until the HSAs are administered in May. "What we're trying to be is proactive," commented Wolf. "As we get close to the HSAs, we're going to do a lot more [practice]."