Students, not test, the problem

Last year, I took the “contentious biology test” (July 9). Based on a previously published article, 2,000 seniors failed the test twice. I believe this number demonstrates their level of learning. The problem isn’t lack of preparation; it’s the students. Almost all the teenagers in my biology class showed no effort or interest.

It’s not reasonable to hand teenagers with no drive a free pass. For tests, my teacher would have the whole class play “Jeopardy.” He would use the actual test for the game’s questions, and allowed us to jot down the answers in notebooks we could use during the exam. Even after being supplied with the correct answers, people would still earn an F. Why? Because no one was willing to put down his or her phone and pick up a pencil.

The test itself shouldn’t be the contentious topic. Rather, it should be the lack of drive and attention students are willing to give. The test shouldn’t be dumbed-down for them. Common-sense questions made up the end-of-course test; having us write a conclusion or procedure like we have since third grade. All changing the test would demonstrate is that students can be carried through high school without supporting themselves.

Alisyn Waite

Spokane