Me Is No Exception

I actually took a picture of the paper this phrase came in because I thought it sounded unbelievable--especially in the context:  "Every students wants to learn English well.  Me is not exception."

But testing went very well today.  I had lost my voice, but I served my purpose as the transporter of the pounds of test packets, which I picked up and carried over in my trunk on wheels. 

On the subject of testing, here are some exchanges:

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From: Tina Martin <tina_martin@sbcglobal.net>
Sent: Wednesday, December 11, 2013 10:22 PM
To: Laura Walsh
Subject: Exit and Re-entry after the Admission Ticket has been taken and ID checked

Thanks again, Laura.  One more question:  When students we don’t know come to the door of a testing place, we check their ID and take their admission ticket.  Then, after they’re seated and before the testing begins, they leave to go to the restroom.  So theoretically someone else could return to take their tests.  I don’t think that happens, but I think the reason we check ID is to be sure it doesn’t. So what do YOU do when students leave the room before testing begins?  (Wouldn’t it make more sense to check their ID and ticket at the door and then have them keep both their ticket and their ID for re-entry?  They could even keep it on their desk until after testing has begun.)

Tina

From: Laura Walsh [mailto:lwalsh@ccsf.edu]
Sent: Thursday, December 12, 2013 9:31 AM
To: Tina Martin
Subject: RE: Exit and Re-entry after the Admission Ticket has been taken and ID checked

Ummm, I've never thought of this, Tina, but you do have a point. Perhaps this question could be raised with Erin or the curriculum committee?

Laura

Thank you, Laura.  Yes, I think I’ll ask them about that.  I assume that the reason we don’t let them keep their admission tickets and ID on their desks until the end is because we’re asked to alphabetize the tickets—or sort them according to section.  But there are a lot of issues pertaining to testing that I think we may need to review.  Students seem unaware that they can’t leave the room once the testing begins.   We need to have a policy for all.  (If they’re really in distress, it seems inhumane not to let them leave, but if they leave, I don’t think they should be re-admitted.)  Also, I’ve been known to have bits of whispered conversations with other teachers.  Do you think the students find this distracting?  There are so many things I wonder about.  I took a course on sabbatical, and every time the teacher said something “helpful,” it really distracted me.  I just wanted quiet.

But the good news:  After Tomi clearly stated that all cell phones had to be turned off and put away or she’d auction them off on e-Bay, one went off during testing, and to my surprise, the student didn’t immediately turn  it off!  I confiscated it, and at the end of testing, Tomi auctioned it off with great audience participation.  (The offending student eventually got it back.)

                Tina

PS  Erin may be over-burdened, so maybe the Curriculum Committee is a better way to go.  But notice how I don’t let your being over-burdened keep me from further burdening you!