Students Attempt to Escape Testing Alive Wednesday, April 04, 2012 By Sophomore Joe Pratt Students in Mrs. Harper’s LAII class review for EOC testing. - Joe Pratt Advertising Every spring, students all over Missouri begin to study their notes, read their textbooks, and practice taking tests. In their classes they review all the material they learned that year. The source of all this last second cramming is the End Of Course Exams (EOC tests). EOC tests are state-mandated tests high school students throughout Missouri are required to take, at the end of each year, to evaluate what the students have learned and how they can improve in academics. Cameron High School is not exempt from taking the EOC. CHS Guidance Counselor Mr. Edd Green is the district test coordinator at CHS. He said, “Cameron High School students start testing on April 23 and finish on the fourth of May. The tests find out what students have learned. They are very important and it is pertinent for students take them serious and prepare for them.” The teachers at Cameron High School generally prepare the students well for these tests. Sophomore Morgan Murphy said, “I feel very confident about the upcoming EOC. I know we [the students at CHS] have been prepared really well. The teachers teach us everything we need to know to get good scores. I am definitely ready to take the EOC because of the great job they have done teaching me.” Other students agree with Morgan. “I think I am going to do pretty well this year. Even though we have covered a whole lot of material, I feel fairly confident,” said Sophomore Jonathan Byrom. Students take EOC tests in the following classes: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, English I, English II, Biology, Government, and American History. The EOC counts for 10% of the student’s final second semester grade. Mr. Green said, “This is a great incentive for students to do well on tests. It is state-mandated that the test counts for 10-15 percent of the student’s grades because it makes sure students take the test seriously.” There are some negative side effects to making the EOC a part of the student’s grades. Since it is a portion of their grades, many students will over-stress about it. Jonathan said, “It is intimidating to take a test that is so important. I could have an A in one of my classes and by bombing the EOC, it could bring my grade down to a B. I don’t think we should be punished for not doing well on it.” Even though the test is intimidating to some students, most people taking the test feel confident in their ability to obtain a good score due to the excellent teachers at CHS. These teachers have done a remarkable job teaching the students. Good luck to all those taking EOC tests this month!

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