One of the multiple choice questions that should appear on a Common Core State Exam:

The reason you are being forced to take this exam is

a. There is no better way to assess the individual and academic strengths of a child than with a one-size-fits-all cookie-cutter assessment.

b. The state of poverty and the disruptive conditions of broken homes do not exist. All children are the same. It is only right that all teachers should be rated with this fantasy in mind.

c. Pearson Education has a lot of money to distribute to any sycophantic politician willing to line his or her pocket.

d. All of the above.

Nick Santora, MS 210, Queens

I teach 3rd-grade, self-contained special education. During our schoolwide midterm this year (similar to state tests and state test protocols), my student wrote on his test, “I don’t know how to read. It is so hard for me” with a sad face. I just about cried, and then let him know that he can read and this test has nothing to do with his ability as a reader.

I secretly hope he writes the same thing on his state tests so someone higher up can see what these tests are doing to our kids.

Erinn Keane, PS 94, the Bronx
(via Facebook)