Connecticut Academic Performance Test

Sample Writing Assessment
School Vouchers

About this Assessment
In this integrated assessment you will be thinking about and responding to an important current issue: school vouchers. You will read and evaluate three sources and write a letter in which you take a position on the issue.

The Issue
School Vouchers:
The quality of public education in many areas of the United States is being questioned by residents of those areas and Americans in general. Several proposals have been offered and are being tested to address concerns about the perceived decline or low quality of public education in the United States. Among these solutions are bussing, charter schools and voucher programs. For this assessment you will debate the merits of the voucher system and take a stand either supporting or refuting vouchers as a solution to public education problems.

Your Task:
Imagine that you are writing a letter to your Senator trying to persuade them to vote for or against a national voucher program. Before taking a position it is important that you consider a variety of viewpoints. You have been provided with source materials related to this issue. Read these materials and use the information contained in them to chose and support the position you take in your essay. You will have 1 hour to complete this task.

Preparing to Write Your Letter
As you read the source materials, you may highlight important information or write notes on the articles themselves. You have been given two charts to help you consider the various arguments for and against school voucher. In addition, a piece of scratch paper has been included for any additional notes our outlining you may wish to do in preparation for writing your essay.

Any notes that you take or information that you place in the charts will not be scored, but they will help you later when you state and support your position in your essay. Only your essay will be scored.

In your letter you should take a clear stand on the issue and support your position with evidence from the readings as well as your own background knowledge. You won't have time to do extensive revising or to get the reactions of others to your letter as if you were really writing to your Senator. So, consider this a first draft or an initial attempt. However, express your thoughts as completely and clearly as possible so readers of your letter will understand your ideas.

How Your Letter Will Evaluated
Your score will be based on how well you:

• take a clear stand on the issue and support your position;
• organize your letter so your Senator will follow your reasoning;
• support your ideas with accurate and relevant information; and
• express your ideas clearly so that readers will understand what you mean.

Arguments FOR School Vouchers

Arguments AGAINST School Vouchers

Stay Tuned for Source Materials...

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