Balthazar
| Balthazar
is very familiar with "paper and pencil" even on a computerized
format. Ordinarily, after the test is given, he gets a single score or grade.
His teachers make decisions about him based on test results (e.g., retake
the test, pass the course, go on to the next unit of instruction, etc.).
Balthazar considers these tests as punishment. He does not understand how the tests could improve his learning as his teachers and parents claim. He has had to take several of same tests over and over again even though his results are always the same. In terms of other tests, his teachers refuse to let him know what their contents are until the tests are given. Balthazar, thus, does not know what to study for and as a consequence is always unprepared to take the tests. Also, he has seen many of his good friends held back in a lower grade because they were not able to pass tests. He has heard that his favorite teachers were considered lousy because he and his friends could not pass all the tests given to them. He knows these teachers are aware of the various projects that he loves to work on. They have given him time and opportunity to work on those projects but the tests given by the school ever seem to be about those projects. Thus, Balthazar is convinced that the tests main purpose is to flunk him regardless of how hard he tries in school. |