Yesterday's introduction to SAT Essay Writing did get met with some groans and heavy sighs and grumbles, but as requested the students didn't shoot the messenger. We looked at a sample prompt and passage, and we also looked at the scoring rubric. We learned that the assessment is scored in three ways: reading, analysis, and writing. And we determined that our goal for every student is to aim for scoring at least a 3 in each category.
Essentially, I view the SAT Essay assessment as a college level writing assignment. And since this assessment essentially is a predictor of college success, it's not unreasonable for high school students to complete the test to determine whether or not they appear to be ready for college level instruction.
The SAT Essay Writing is more difficult that COMPASS, ACT, and ACCUPLACER. Students are asked to read a passage that makes a claim and strives to support that claim. Students are then required to analyze HOW the author crafts her/his message in order to present an effective and efficient argument. Finally, students must express their analysis in a mature, coherent, and effective essay.
Isn't this what we want to teach students? Don't we want them to not only understand the message but determine HOW the author has crafted the message? Don't we want students to be effective consumers of information?
I certainly should hope so. In a world that now consists of "fake news", "alternative facts", and Breitbart News, it's more important than ever to teach students to look deeper than the content of information. Students and adults need to be able to look past the content and see the author and the crafting of the message in order to determine whether or not the message is credible and objective.
So bring on the SAT Essay Writing assessment. Yes, it's harder, but harder is sometimes a very, very good thing.
Let's go get this Tuesday!
JBiz
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