Friday, October 24, 2008

The Graduation Prayer

Our teachers, who are art our superiors,
Detailed be thine teachings, that we may study later
Make thine test easy for us, that we may make A and B

Give us fair grades, as we sign the daily class roles
And forgive us our failure
As you forgive those who miss test to make it up

Lead us not into false information
But deliver us from standardized tests

For thine is the happiness to see us graduate
We pray Academic Affairs do not lose our files
The joy and the promotion is yours
Forever and ever
Amen....


This is the hope of all students, including high school pupils that are constantly preparing for standardized test e.g (SAT, ACT ...)

Did someone mentioned that standardize tests should be scraped?

Well, there are students that are smart and intelligent but never passes these tests. Does that mean:

1. Such student would never get the chance to attend prestigious colleges such as
MoreHouse, Harvard, John Hopkins, Howard e.t.c.?

2. That such student would not get to attain his/her dreams ?

3. That student(s) (the victims) are embellished to become a burden to the community
as a result of their failure to triumph in these tests ?

4. In regard to "difference in circumstances" - that was discussed. Does it then indicate that inability of a child afflicted by poverty to afford test preparation,
texts, or even registration fee, would not enable him/her to get a chance to perform on the stage of scholastic accomplishment?

I think Standardized tests are great, in fact they help maintain the quality and standard of higher institutions, but I think every kid, student deserve a shot at college education. If truly no child is to be left behind.