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.

About the Author

Kathryn Porter is an elected member of the Colorado GOP State Central Committee and the El Paso County Republican Party Executive Committee, currently serving her second term. As an illuminator of truth, she was banned as a guest of the 2016 Republican National Convention by the former Colorado State Chairman. Following her banishment, she contested the entire 2016 delegation to hold the state party accountable for balloting errors, the disregard of bylaws, and numerous irregularities at the state convention. The 2016 RNC Credentials Committee granted her a convention pass, overruling the former chair's pronouncement. In an RNC report responding to the case she brought before the Committee on Contests, the Colorado Republican Committee was chastized for its "embarassing incompetentence." She pledges to continue holding the Colorado Republican Party accountable.