By Lauren Cosca ’15

To the disappointment of some and to the relief of others, the plan to have AP testing in the Ertzman Theatre for almost every class was canceled days before the May 5-16 testing began.

One purpose of testing in the Ertzman was to prepare students for college testing and exams; accordingly, the school ordered 150 large desk tops for this reason. Counselor Jamii Avery, the school’s AP testing coordinator, said that a number of obstacles arose with using the Ertzman for testing.  According to Avery, problems that emerged included a scheduling conflict with the school’s spring play, a middle school’s use of the Ertzman after school during a scheduled test and two student music concerts.

The biggest hurdle was the fact that the school planned to use spotlights for extra lighting during the test, and Principal Bill Gregory became concerned that the lighting would not meet fire code regulations because of the extension cords. “It was tough to make the decision this late, but we did it to err on the side of the student who would have been uncomfortable … I didn’t want that to be a bad experience for any one student,” said Gregory.

These difficulties came after some teachers and students already had expressed concern about the testing conditions of the Ertzman. “The lighting in the theatre is not at all conducive to reading for any length of time.  The chairs provide little back support.  The portable desks would not provide the most comfortable position for writing,” said AP Lit. teacher Debbie Reier, who formally requested earlier in the year that AP Lit exams be held in classrooms.

A number of students in AP classes had the opportunity to have a test-run with the ordered desks. “After spending a whole period in there and doing what they were actually going to be doing [taking an AP test], they were saying ‘I kind of like it,’” said Avery.  A few students told Avery that they were upset that testing was canceled in the Ertzman.

Staff who worked hard to get the testing arranged also were disappointed that testing would remain in classrooms as it has in past years. “I’m extremely disappointed and upset,” said Avery. “Taking college level tests and knowing what a college level situation would be like would be very beneficial and having the test in the Ertzman would be able to provide that for students.”

Sherwood has created a committee to find ways to use the desks, as well as make sure they are used next year to further students’ college readiness and preparation for testing in new environments. The tentative plan for next year is to allow AP teachers to sign up all year to take smaller tests in the Ertzman with the desks to let teachers and students decide if they like the environment or not. “Next year I would like to use the Ertzman for AP testing, if the conditions are favorable for testing,” said Gregory.