OPLAs

Two years ago (maybe three ?), when we first year the term "OPLA's", the common smile between teachers was to call them the "Oompa Loompas" (there are SO many acronyms in education, that the "alphabet soup" experience of keeping the different terms straight calls for a sense of humor) ...

Roald Dahl's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" with Oompa Loompas

In the serious world of testing, OPLAS are the Minnesota State Practice Tests on the computer. (I honestly don't know what OPLA stands for).

Ms. Leom's students started day one of two days of testing today (February 11th). Mr. Greninger's class tests next week.

We are invited to the High School Media Center Computer Lab to take these tests.

Milaca Curriculum Director, Mrs. (Amy) Notch helped us. The tests are HIGHLY secure, and staff has to attend a formal training session about the security and expectations of giving and monitoring the tests (one of many needs for workshop days). Every adult involved in testing has to sign and date a disclosure form that says we participated in training, understand the expectations, and we will follow the script (there is a script of what you can say).

The tests are beneficial. Our students experience much of their learning on a paper and pencil setting. The OPLAs offer students an opportunity to highlight, cross out, take notes, and more using a computer set-up, similar to how it will organized for the MCAs tests in April.

Ms. Leom said that she would give each of her (own) kids a kiss in the morning before a big test. Since the board of education generally frowns on kissing students, and to her, we are "her kids", she shared a Hershey's Kiss with each student. WE are special. We are more important than any test, and she wants us to do our best. SMOOCH!