How PVMHS students are feeling about MCAS seminars
On March 27-29th Sophomores will be taking the ELA MCAS. In hopes to raise MCAS scores for the coming years (at least I think, as you’ll find out we aren’t really sure what's going on) freshmen, juniors, and seniors will be attending seminars for the beginning half of those three days. We asked a few Peabody High Students for their opinions on these seminars. Here's what they had to say:
“It was fine the last few years, I don’t see why we need to change it when administration already sees the backlash from teachers and students.” -Audrey Gabriel, Junior
“I think it would have been more successful if we had gotten more notice and more of an in depth explanation because nobody really knows what’s going on or why.” -Annalise Torres, Junior
“Quite chaotic.” -Lindsey Clements, Junior
Some people didn’t like the potential conflict this causes with AP classes and the end of the quarter:
“Why do I have to disrupt my schedule and getting ready for my 3 AP exams for this?” -Victoria Lombardi, Junior
“I think it’s a good thought to try to get us to be financially literate but with the timing of AP exams coming up and the quarter ending makes it a bad idea.” -Gabby Borges, Junior
“Why can’t we just have regular classes like we have during testing in the past? With all of the snow days and where MCAS falls at the end of the quarter plus AP classes it is really bad timing for it.” -Sarah Lake, Junior
Some wished they were able to pick their own classes:
"It’s stupid. We don’t even get to choose our classes! No one will take it seriously and no one will come.” -Tori Couillard, Senior
“People would be more open to this if we were able to choose the classes we could take, even if just 1 or 2.” -Lilly Hart, Junior
“They should do the senior health day in May not now. The exit survey should be more towards the end of the year… we aren’t leaving yet. However, I think the financial literally classes are good.” -Anonymous, Senior
Others think it is a waste of time:
“I think that it is a waste. Students will probably see “financial literacy” on the top of their schedule for Tuesday morning and not show up. What’s worse, doing all of this work to setup these seminars only to have no one show up, or just having a delay for everyone but the sophomores if no one is coming anyways?” -Emily Ciman, Junior
“An inefficient use of our time in school” -Eric DeMayo, Senior
“Absolutely terrible. A waste of time. We should be able to sign up for different seminars.” -Katie Cohen, Junior
“I hate MCAS and I hate these health classes, this is a waste of time.” -Anonymous
Many don’t see how these will benefit them:
“I will not be showing up, it is absolutely pointless. The only thing that makes sense is the AP seminars, but they don’t make too much sense because teachers aren’t allowed to teach new material. It is an overwhelming amount of time with the same teachers, people , and classrooms. I think juniors and seniors should have half days.” -Anonymous, Junior
“I don’t think it would be beneficial to me to have to sit through four hours of SAT prep. I think if I thought I needed it I would’ve taken that class. If we could have chosen our seminars maybe I’d feel different about this.” -Jenna Sousa, Junior
A few students think the seminars will be beneficial:
“I like it. It’s a good idea. It’s good that we get a break from a regular schedule. The only downside is that it was last minute, not a lot of people know what’s going on. Overall though, it’s pretty good.” -Kaitlin Gorman, Junior
“It’s a good idea. The financial Literacy classes teach us real world things that we wouldn't learn in other classes.” -Sammy Wallace, Junior
Overall it seems like the majority of PVMHS is not thrilled will the idea of these seminars. Many students said that they simply won’t be showing up or coming in late for one or more days. As of now there is confusion and disapproval around these seminars, but who knows...maybe everything will work out and the ritual for MCAS testing days will change.