Test, after test, after test. What test do you think I’m talking about?  The Curriculum Based Assessment of course, better known as the CBA. Some kids at Westview don’t like it. It’s either too boring, making kids too tired, and some kids just flat out hate it. 
     Maybe it’s worst for 6th graders being new to middle school. Kids at Westview think elementary was way easier than middle school. What if the testing is way too stressful?
     When asked if middle school testing is any different than elementary, Jennifer Patterson replied, “No. Not really the only thing that’s different is more classes.”
     Not only do students have an opinion about the CBA, teachers do too.
“Since I’m teaching 8th grade, it’s a great tool to help students do well on the TAKS, and it also helps to see what we have to review.” Mrs. Ferguson replies when asked what she thinks about the CBA.
    Mrs.Sherrill answered “The intent is to see where students are, and to see how well they mastered, and how they did in the last nine weeks.”
    Maybe if you were principal you could change the way we take tests to where we won’t have any test to take at all.
     “I would serve donuts and milk and cancel testing forever!”  Cherella Mccormick replies when asked what she would do about testing if she was principal. 
     But you can’t cancel testing, not even if you’re principal.
     “For the CBA we are given the number of tests our students are supposed to take by the district. Since I am the principal, I make sure our school takes the test required.” Says Mr. Gonzales when asked who distributes the CBA tests.
    You’re probably thinking, “Why do we have to take the CBAs? They’re not even important?” Well, you are wrong. 
     “They are important, because for the students who make straight As on the CBA, we know that they understand the curriculum, but for those students who fail the CBA, that means they have to re-learn everything in the CBA so that they can pass the TAKS,” said Mr. Gonzales when asked why the CBA is important.
      So, whether you think the CBA is taking up time, or isn’t important, remember that they will help you pass the TAKS.