State Test Woes & Extra Credit

Ellen Sands and I were talking about this week's ELA test and she mentioned an extra credit project she was offering to her 7th grade students that might interest you as well.  I'll follow the same parameters as Ellen.   Here's the deal:

Your Task:  Write a FORMAL email to the directors of The New York State ELA.


Step One:  Read these articles about testing:

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/talking-pineapple-question-state-exam-stumps-article-1.1064657

http://nycpublicschoolparents.blogspot.com/2012/04/pineapple-and-hare-pearsons-absurd.html?spref=fb&m=1

http://www.pinkwater.com/pzone/

http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/159741/-pineapple--question-on-state-english-exam-mystifies-many-city-students

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/education/students-required-9-hours-english-math-exams-state-dummy-questions-article-1.1063239#ixzz1sQTbTOun

Step Two:  Write your email

• Address them as Mr. Katz, Ms. Shyer, Ms. Wallis
• 1st paragraph: Introduce yourself (name, age, grade, school, dates you took the exam, title of the exam you took)
• Body paragraph (s): Your concerns.  BE VERY SPECIFIC
• Closing: thank them for  their time and that you look forward to hearing back from them
• Sincerely, Your Name

Step Three:  PROOFREAD / SPELLCHECK YOUR LETTER BEFORE SENDING

Step Four:  Print out a copy of the email for me, so that you will  get your extra credit

Link to their emails:

http://www.p12.nysed.gov/apda/contact-apda.html