Yup.  And lots of it.  It’s raining right now and will be through the entire day.  Luckily I mowed the front yard over the weekend, the grass that was rapidly growing after extensive rain (flooding) the week before when I was up north.  With today’s rain and more in the forecast for later in the week I think it is going to be another high grass weekend and I’ll try to take some preemptive measures so our front yard does not resemble a suburban jungle!  I will be leaving in a few days for another trip to Cambridge for a half marthon this weekend during what will become an extended Memorial Day holiday weekend.

Despite the rain and gloomy skies, I am feeling in a playful mood and decided to put on one of my many childish ties, this one displaying all of the characters from Winnie the Pooh.  With a meeting this morning to enroll a new student (that’s 3 new students for three months in a row!!) I’m sure it will be noticed.

This week we are taking part in the mandatory High School Assessment (HSA) exams.  This is the first year that a passing score on these exams will be required prior to receiving a high school diploma.  The fact is that these tests are going to be considered “exit exams” and will probably result in delayed graduation for many students.  There are special accomodations that may be made for students with disabilities but even with such accomodations, a passing score might not be possible.

Linking graduation to passing test scores is a national trend right now as states grapple with trying to produce a competitive workforce and higher literacy rates – all this among increasing drop out rates.  I am not sure that mandating passing scores on state examinations is much of a motivator for students who are in high-risk categories and urban environments.

The school is quiet as the students test.  My lunch sits uneaten on my desk as I write this entry, not much of an appetite today.  Listening to NPR on my work computer, accompanied by the Winnie and friends, we sit and watch the rain fall against the windows.