School Bribes Students to Take Tests with Free Prom Tickets
In an attempt to minimize refusals of the Colorado Measure of Academic Success (CMAS) tests, Mountain View High School in Colorado is offering free prom tickets to students who complete these high stakes assessments.
Mountain View High School scheduled its CMAS testing for Science and Social Studies from November 10-12 from 7:30-11:00 am each day—which totals 10.5 hours of testing over three days.
An email from school secretary Suzy Hass stated, “Seniors that are in attendance, give it their best attempt, and complete the entire social studies and science assessment will receive a free individual ticket for Prom on Saturday, April 24, 2015. Students that are not in attendance and/or do not complete the entire social studies and science assessment will need to purchase a prom ticket for $35.”
Students who complete the three days of CMAS testing for Science and Social Studies, will also be granted time off from school while those who refuse the tests will be given the “punishment” of having to attend classes while lower grades take the Common Core aligned PARCC exam.
Hass’ email says: “Seniors that are in attendance, give it their best attempt, and complete the entire social studies and science assessment will be eligible to NOT be in attendance while the 9-11 grade students take the PARCC assessment in March/April (formerly TCAP).”
On top of free prom tickets and time off from class, teachers may offer additional incentives.
