MCAS, My Ass

     Complete the following statement:
Spring is in the air, a time when educators' thoughts turn to:
     a) summer vacation
     b) a new season of The Voice
     c) state-mandated MCAS testing, the results of which are considered the single most important indicator of what a child has learned and---by extension---how effective his or her teacher is.

Ignoring the fact that spring is most emphatically NOT in the air (at least here in northeast Massachusetts where this afternoon it was 16 degrees), the correct answer is: d) all of the above.

MCAS stands for Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System.  "Comprehensive" in grades 3 and 4 refers only to reading and math skills, as measured by a mostly multiple-choice bubble test.  

It's "comprehensive" in the way my physical would be if a bunch of paper-pushers from the insurance company told my doctor that my entire check-up should consist of him looking in my ear.  

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