Please no more CST testing !

Posted on May 20, 2014 by Eloisa Garcia in Op-Ed

Eloisa Garcia

Rocio Flores

CST Testing

CON

The California Standards Test was administered this morning for Juniors. For me, the test is pointless because it is an extremely easy test that only wasted my time. Tomorrow, juniors are taking the math portion of the test – today they took the English part.

Earlier this year, juniors took the Smarter Balanced test, so most Juniors were confused and angry about having to take the CST. The CST is supposed to measure the API score of a school, but with the Smarter Balance in place this year, the deal was that we were not taking the CST. What angered most of us was that we were told we did not have to take the CST, and then the test was given to us on such a short notice.

Most people found out about the CST yesterday, which was not ideal for me because I was absent yesterday. I did not know we were going to take the CST and was not prepared.

The English portion of the CST was easy but boring. We had to read so many selections and then answer the questions. Coming from taking three AP tests, I was tired of bubbling in answers and reading so much articles.

PRO

Many students have been really upset because of the CST English and Math section they have to take. Hence many consider this test as a waste of time and not beneficial. As everybody else, I was really mad when I heard about this test. I mean who wants to take a three hour test for two days after taking AP test for two weeks and preparing for finals in the next two weeks?!! I mean nobody!

Personally I was mad because that meant that I would have to miss some of my classes and miss out on preparation for finals, especially since finals are around the corner. When I found this out, as many juniors I blamed the school for scheduling this test.

However, as Ms. Quintanilla mentioned before the test, the school is not to blame because LAUSD planned the CST to be taken in late May. This test would also benefit us juniors (future college students) for our college admissions because if we pass this test, we won’t have to take an college entrance exam to determine if we are ready for college or not. On the bright side this CST testing also known as EAP (Early Assessment Program), will benefit us after all.