One of the things I appreciate about my kid’s school is that there’s no multiple choice. They are expected to answer in writing, in complete sentences or solve math problems and explain their reasoning.
Last week, for example, they had a social studies test with questions such as, “What role do businesses play in the community?” or “Are firefighters and police businesses or governmental services? Explain your answer.” And the kids had to write out sentences in response.
Also, they do rote memorization, which I applaud. Today, they’ll be tested on reciting the names of the 39 books of the Old Testament in the correct order (it’s a Protestant school.) They are memorizing the multiplication table, as well.
Clarissa's Blog 
But Clarissa, this is terrible! It shows a conspicuous lack of empathy towards disadvantaged children. Where is your Christian empathy? There may be children with Special Educational Needs, children whose working memory is poor or slow: what about them? There are also children with invisible disabilities who might be forced – the horror ! – to reveal them to the rest of the class: imagine the stigma. Multiple-choice tests are the way to go. They are democratic in that they create a level playing field for all individuals, including the talentless.
The very question in Klara’s Social Studies class is an affront to the progressive values of any self-respecting Protestant church! Businesses play no role in the community except as agents of Capitalist exploitation. Even an eight-year-old child knows that!
Where are the righteous and outraged Anonymouses when one needs them on this blog? Are they all busy helping the Harris-Waltz campaign?
Disgusted in Seattle
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, I know, the horror. :-)) Equity is being violated in horrific and deliberate ways, and all we can do around here is giggle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are good things to say about rote memorization. Some of my fondest memories of my Dad include him randomly declaiming around the house snatches of “Gunga Din,” “Barbara Freitchie,” and bits of Latin. As for me, I still have a fair working memory of the “times tables,” and it comes in handy. Glad Kiara’s in a good place.
LikeLiked by 1 person