The Bluffer - Red Bluff, CA
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/123900
O Staff Editorial pinion Page 2 April 19, 2013 STAR tests do not prepare students for the future... "If you're not sure about the answer to a question, do the best you can..." This statement, reiterated STAR test after STAR test, has been engraved into the minds of high school students countless times. It's a piece of advice, a statement, even a command; however, as hundreds of students at RBHS begin their English portions of the STAR test, including the Bluffer staff, we were confused and still are trying to do the best we can at solving this question: What are we actually gaining from taking this test? How is it helping us prepare for our futures? When it came down to it, we couldn't really find an answer to this question. In all honesty, the STAR tests do not help us. They don't teach us. They don't prepare us. Since we couldn't answer this question, we are still going to take the advice of these sacred STAR tests and do our best. So we have invented the perfect test. This glorious test would assess us on the material that we actually need for the future and therefore would prepare us. It would test us on writing, current events around the world, our leadership skills, our ability to find information using the correct sources, and would actually contain an interview portion. While this is quite a long list, all these elements are necessary components for the future. Being able to construct an argument is a very useful skill to have. Not only do we have to write an argument essay for the SAT and ACT, two tests that are important factors for college, but arguing and having the ability to argue is actually integrated into the workforce. If you want a raise from your employer, you have to argue in your favor and explain why it is important and necessary. Being a leader is a hard position to acquire, but having the skills needed to lead is even more of a rarity. Our test would help students more easily obtain these skills, only excelling them farther in the future. Other elements our test would contain would be an actual interview portion. It could be done through Skype or another form of video chat, and there would be a certain rubric a tester could use. Other than these elements, our test would assess students on their ability to use the correct sources when searching for information. In the end, our test would be something that would truly prepare students for the future. Every question would be applicable in the real world, unlike the STAR tests issued to students today. Educational system fails to All dogs are created equal cover critical thinking skills B A , B, C, D, F: these five letters have been dictating our academic lives since the start of it all. At the genesis of our education, dating back when math just had numbers, the educational system has made it clear that all they want out of us students are: high test scores, straight A's, and for us to be successful citizens of today's world. Although, those three qualities usually fall hand in hand and the last one isn't too shabby the first two qualities have been praised and glorified to the extremes. Receiving straight A's is what will get you into college, there is no doubt about that. Surviving in the real world where critical thinking becomes an asset is what needs to be taught in the classrooms. Yet a question to be asked is, 'Can you even lecture or instruct such an ability?'. In fact, you can. Another factor that comes into affect is the use of multiple choice testing. Multiple choice gives permission to students to be lazy and to slide through the system. Students should be challenged on an everyday basis and when tested their intellect should be demanded, yet not through four simple letters: A, B, C, or D. Although, this way of testing a students ability is rather simplistic it does not measure a students full potential. The stress that is put on schools from the state to produce academic clones then transfers to the students. Shelby Keeler Topics Editor Senior year comes to an end: stresses and benefits A s a senior in high school and with this school year so close to an end, I can't help but be stressed, happy, scared, and beyond excited to start the next step of my life! The last month is just about here and for seniors it's a very busy month! We have prom sneaking up, senior prank, senior trip, senior make a difference, and a whole lot more! Another thing that's hard to do for some of us is now that it's spring and beautiful outside we get spring fever and this is the worst time to start slacking. We can't slack because then our grades will slip, we will miss assignments, not focus, and the worst thing possible is failing a class and not being able to walk and then you're done for. A lot of us are going to move away after summer and we're all going to start a new chapter in our lives which means leaving everything we are used to. Leaving our families, your best friends that have been there for you for everything, and leaving this small town we all seem to hate but soon enough we will be thankful for it all because without it, we wouldn't be how we are. Even some of the couples that have been together for forever will have to depart from each other because of different colleges or one of you is still in high school and the other leaves but it's what has to happen. I can't help but realize that so much has changed within these past four years, we came into high school with such different ideas than what we have now. These past four years have formed us into our true selves. We find out who our true friends are, we learn how to set aside drama and decide to not let anybody else define ourselves. The fact that we are all leaving what we have been so used to you and changing completely different atmospheres scares just about most of us. But the fact that we are able to start the next chapter of our lives and do something with ourselves is the best feeling! I'm going to have to give a huge shoutout to all the teachers that were able to give us the material not only for school subjects but for also teaching us life lessons that will help us get through tough times in life. To me, I am scared to move on and I'm scared to leave my friends and everything thats THE BLUFFER Editorial Staff News Editors Marissa Chase Laurel Shoop Viewpoint Editor Becca Blanchard A & E Editors Connor Ross Josiah Vasey Features Editors Ashlan Brunello Bailey Patchen Sports Editors Egan Meagher Garrett Sandow Ryan Fisher Topics Editor Shelby Keeler Editor-In-Chief Marissa Chase Veronica Smith Mitch Fox Sarah Bartlett Claire Samay Sam Rodriguez Tymberlyn Bealer Rodrigo Sanchez Mark Criss Alexis Simpkins Ceighlee Fennel Aleczander X. B. Sims Hunter Latham Zachary Smith Aaron Lewis Sahvanna Rice Owen Ritter Veronica Smith Rodrigo Sanchez Staff Writer Staff Writer SPARTAN THUMBS Adviser Editor-In-Chief Advertising Director Natalie Almond Alisa Pelanconi Laurel Shoop Staff Writers normal to me but I'm also so excited to be able to fulfill my dreams after high school and use what I've learned and put it out into the real world. These last few days are bitter sweet and that's why it is such an emotional roller coaster because one day you're excited then the next day you're scared but we can't help it. So, I wish us all luck with these last few days of school, good luck with achieving your goals. It's our time to use what we have learned, it's our time to make our own decisions and take responsibilities for our own actions. y law you must have homeowners insurance if you do in fact own the home;, however, various insurance agencies will not give you insurance if you own, for example, a pit-bull. This stands true whether the dog has bitten anybody, is a danger to people or not. Insurance companies often have policies that they will not give insurance to owners of pit-bulls, even if they are of no danger. Personally, I believe that this is a form of dog profiling. It is not right to discriminate against one dog or another. That would be similar to profiling a person based on the color of their skin or their gender. They did not choose to be a pit-bull or a Rottweiler or whatever breed of dog they are. In many cases, they are friendly, safe, a member of a family. In the case of German Shepherd they can be trained to be a protector via being a police dog. They can save lives. Many people argue that they are a menace to society, however, the cases in which they harm people are due to not of how they are trained. If the owner is irresponsible and does not train the dog to be safe and not attack people or other dogs they should not have the right to own the animal. Other animals have been trained to fight such as roosters; however, they are not profiled against. If a person does have a dog that is not a pit-bull or doesn't have one, then they don't have to worry. There are some other dogs that have owners in danger; they have a German shepherd, a Rottweiler, and a Doberman Pinscher. I feel bad for these dogs because they are my favorites. Pit-bulls are better than that. German shepherds are intelligent and some are trained for police officers. Rottweilers and Doberman pinschers guard people's homes. If you have one of these dogs, be careful for biting or it's your turn. I believe that pit-bulls are kind and it doesn't matter what breed they are, especially the other dogs. In the conclusion, pit-bull owners should have insurance if they are in danger. They should change the policies of the insurance companies. Cartoonist Andrea Hveem Karla Nowicki Editorial Policy: Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the district, staff, or student body. We welcome signed letters to the editor. Names may be withheld upon request. We also reserve the right to edit submission based on length and/or clarity. Allergies are here People must deal with seasonal allergies. State testing Freshman, sophomores and juniors must take state testing. School is almost out Summer is getting closer to arriving. Prom is coming up The dance is almost here. North Korea's threats The country is threatening to bomb us. *These Thumbs came from Ms. Hendricks's 4th period class.