Mass Insight Education
March 2002
The energetic and productive team at Mass Insight Education recently released this 24-page report, arising from interviews with 140 Bay-State urban high school students "who failed either the math or English portion of the MCAS [Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System] in Spring 2001." Far from despairing, nearly all of these young people believe that, with more hard work and better attendance, they can pass the test at a subsequent administration. Most also believe that the skills tested by MCAS are important skills to have. Two-thirds say they are working harder as a result of pressure arising from this high-stakes testing regime. What would help them the most to do better on the test itself? According to these young people (as refracted through the Mass Insight analysts), "encouragement from a respected adult and having extra-help sessions taught by their favorite teachers." (Of course that only works if they show up for the help sessions which, the report finds, 54% are not doing.) You can download a PDF copy at http://www.massinsight.com/meri/pdf_files/Taking%20Charge%20Report%20PDF.pdf.
