Woe is the MCAS

In B's class this morning as usual to offer "writing" help, which basically means I'm there to tutor kids on their MCAS answers. The most recent practice test was a story about Harriet Quimby, a woman who boldly flew across the English Channel when only men were doing so. The students needed to write what Harriet's goals were and how she achieved them.

One particular boy failed this task miserably it seems, and so is sent to my table to re-do his answer. Why does he fail? He does not quote directly from the text as required. Instead he writes, "She wanted to prove that women were as capable as men" (words found nowhere in the story). How did she achieve this goal? "She flew across the English Channel."

A perfect answer in my opinion, as it thoughtfully and rightfully summed up the text. It was hard to tell him to erase what he had written, harder to explain why he had to.