Gum-chewing allowed at school while taking the CSAP's... ?! - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Cynosure · 02-16-2009, 07:55 AM

First, for those of you who don't know what the CSAP is...

Quote:

The Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) is an assessment required by the No Child Left Behind Act administered by the Unit of Student Assessment in the Colorado Department of Education (CDE). The CSAP is designed to measure how well students are learning material from the Colorado Model Content Standards, the established content standards that all Colorado public school students should learn. The CSAP only tests four (mathematics, reading and writing, and science) of the thirteen subject areas in the Colorado Model Content Standards.

Colorado Student Assessment Program - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

My 9-year-old daughter, along with the rest of her school, will be taking the CSAP tests, tomorrow. Apparently, the results of the CSAP tests are very important, and a lot is dependent upon them. (School jobs and funding being first and foremost, evidently.) "And the school districts are highly competitive with each other regarding these CSAP test results," my wife informed me.)

This morning, I noticed an unopened pack of Wrigley's Doublemint Gum on the kitchen counter. "What's this?" I said aloud, remarking on how rare it was to find a pack of Doublemint in our house. (Only my daughter chews gum, and not very often; and when she does, it's candy-flavored bubblegum, and certainly not Doublemint.)

"Don't open that!" my daughter said. "That's for me to chew in school, tomorrow."

"Oh? For school? Since when did they start allowing gum chewing in school?"

Overhearing all this, my wife answered, "Since they found out that it helps children think and perform better on tests."

Huh?

Well, I had to go look this up on the 'Net. Here's one article I found supporting this...

Quote:

Forget What You Heard in School, Chewing Gum Activates Your Brain

Who Says So?

The original research began in 2001 and made it to the major-leagues in the following year at the University of Northumbria in Great Britain. The lead-researcher is professor Andrew Scholey who used control-groups for his experiments. Later research using fMRIs (brain scans), reinforced his conclusions.

How Does It Work?

It turns out that the chewing-action creates a bodily (mouth and jaw) rhythm which the brain copies, so that mind-and-body get into ‘entrainment’ (in-sync).

What happens next is that “insulin” starts flowing because mind-and-body are fooled into expecting real-food coming to the stomach – not just the saliva produced by the chewing-action.

The first discovery was that there are ‘insulin’ receptors (catch-basins), on both the left and the right hemispheres (cerebral cortex). When the insulin pops into the grooves of the left-and-right brains – they excite the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex into cognitive-activity. In plain English – not neuroscience – our attention (concentration), memory, and comprehension (Broca’s and Wernicke’s Areas), kick into gear and boost our learning-skills.

The Test Itself?

Dr. Scholey’s team uses a group who chewed-gum, a second that did not move their lips and jaws, and a third that had no gum, but pretended to chew by moving their jaws up-and-down – they chewed “air”.

The results were revealing – the gum chewers doubled the scores of those who did nothing but keep their jaws shut. The ‘pretend’ group improved – but less than 25% of the ‘gun-chewers’, but significantly compared to the ‘normal’ (non-chewers), people.

What is Going on in The Mind-And-Body?

What happens is that the insulin-connection helps switch the Central Nervous System from Sympathetic to the Parasympathetic System; from fight-or-flight
to-relaxation-mode.

The hormones, enzymes and neurotransmitters activate ‘acetylcholine’ instead of epinephrine (adrenalin). When we go to Parasympathetic and ‘inhibit’ fight-or-flight (cortisol), we learn and think with fluidity and speed.

You probably know that your [brain] uses 22% of all the body’s oxygen and glucose (body-fuel). When you study and learn you require an additional 10% oxygen to run the brain in high-gear.

The parasympathetic system leads to an increased amount of oxygen and glucose – and it disposed of larger amounts of Carbon dioxide, than the Sympathetic Nervous System. It’s the insulin that triggers it all to happen.

Forget What You Heard in School, Chewing Gum Activates Your Brain

Okay, so maybe chewing gum might give you a little edge while taking a test. But should public schools allow an exception for students to chew gum while taking important tests such as those for the CSAP? (Note, these students are allowed to chew the gum only while taking the tests, and must spit it out and discard it afterward. Any other time, gum chewing is disallowed in school, as it has been for generations.)

I mean, what kind of ethical precedent is this setting for the children?

Plan9 · 02-16-2009, 07:59 AM

Whoa... is this why I chew gum all the time? Huh!

I mean, I'm a chewing fiend. Just ask anybody.

...

I'm okay with gum in schools as long as it used properly.

No popping, no sticking it in Cuthbert VonNerdyface's hair, etc.

World's King · 02-16-2009, 08:38 AM

I didn't get gum when I took the CSAP's

Cause that was many many years ago...

genuinegirly · 02-16-2009, 08:51 AM

I enjoy chewing gum. I didn't appreciate it until recently when I realized the consistent movement relieved stress. I don't know if it should be allowed at elementary schools or not. The only thing worse than getting gum stuck on your shoe is stepping in doo. When I was a child, I often got bubble gum stuck in my hair or extra-large bubbles popped on my glasses. Gum was a nuisance before I gained complete control over the gum, and I can't blame teachers or schools for asking it not be present on campus.

I would think in my case, relief of test anxiety would be achieved from chewing gum during a test, rather than increased mental focus. Interesting article. Thanks for bringing up the discussion.

ngdawg · 02-16-2009, 08:56 AM

I chewed gum, had candy in my purse and snacked all day and I was a solid C student....

uncle phil · 02-16-2009, 09:06 AM

i never enjoyed being surrounded by cows in school...

Cynosure · 02-16-2009, 09:07 AM

Note, I'm not questioning whether gum chewing, itself, should or should not be allowed in school. I'm not even questioning the merits or the consequences of having chewing gum in school. No, what I'm questioning is schools making a one and only exception of having students chew gum while taking the CSAP tests, and the ethical precedent that might present to the impressionable children-students.

No, chewing gum is not illegal, and using it doesn't have any harmful or lasting effects. (Well, its frequent use can cause cavities.) So, students chewing gum to enhance their test score results isn't anything like athletes taking steroids to enhance their sports performance. Or is it? Because, everyone knows that gum chewing is not allowed at any time, at anywhere, in public schools, and hasn't been for generations. So, why should schools now allow an exception to this, for the CSAP tests – and only for those tests? Well, obviously it's because the results of the CSAP tests are so important to them, i.e. because of school jobs and funding.

genuinegirly · 02-16-2009, 09:21 AM

I see your point. I don't think I could make the jump to connect gum chewing to steroid use, but I see what you mean.

Is it only for this one exam, or are they permitted to chew gum for any standardized all-day test?

Cynosure · 02-16-2009, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by genuinegirly

I see your point. I don't think I could make the jump to connect gum chewing to steroid use, but I see what you mean.

Put yourself in the mind of a child...

Child: How come we can chew gum while taking this test, but not any at other time, in school?

Adult: Because gum chewing enhances your ability to think, and thus can improve your test scores.

Child: I have to think a lot, in school. Shouldn't I chew gum all the time, while in class?

Adult: No, gum chewing in school is against the rules. It always has been. Not even on the playground or during snack time, is gum chewing allowed.

Child: But... if it helps me think, why can't I chew gum with all my tests? Why just with this one test?

Adult: Because this test is very important.

Child: Aren't all my tests important? If I make a bad grade on any of them, I get in trouble. But you said this test doesn't affect my grades, right?

Adult: Correct.

Child: That seems unfair. Why let me chew gum while taking this test, which doesn't affect my grades, but not let me chew gum while taking tests that do affect my grades?

Adult: Well...

Days later, in another conversation...

Child: What are steroids? And why do athletes take them?

Adult: Some athletes take steroids because it enhances their performance in sports.

Child: Oh! Like chewing gum helps me take tests.

Adult: Well, not really. Steroids are illegal, and they can be harmful.

Child: But chewing gum is against the rules, in school. Well, except for that one, special test. And didn't you say chewing gum can cause cavities? That's harmful.

Adult: Yes, well...

vanblah · 02-16-2009, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ngdawg

I chewed gum, had candy in my purse and snacked all day and I was a solid C student....

Just imagine what your GPA would have been if you weren't allowed to chew gum ...

SSJTWIZTA · 02-16-2009, 12:26 PM

we used to argue this point during the FCAT testing when i went to school as a kid in Florida.

we always got denied.

lucky little shits.

JumpinJesus · 02-16-2009, 04:22 PM

Schools grasp at any straws they can when it comes to standardized tests.

The reality is that if the students weren't prepared before the test, chewing some Doublemint will not suddenly make a failing student pass, nor will it raise test scores across the board by giving the entire student body a stick of gum on test day.

What might help test performance is if we stop putting so much pressure on these students to perform for our benefit.

Bear Cub · 02-16-2009, 04:37 PM

There sure is a lot of egg on my face now. To think, all those jokes about doing things while walking, completely down the shitter.

Jimellow · 02-16-2009, 08:23 PM

I don't see why it should be allowed for tests if it isn't allowed any other time.

Seems to send the message that it's OK to cheat, but only if the test is really important. If rules are set by an institution, it seems hypocritical to suddenly allow them to be broken solely as a means for bettering the said institution, but not any other time.

gardens · 02-20-2009, 01:25 AM

why only one stick or two some people like 4 pieces to make a big wad

it's a very bad precedent that their setting as your steroid example aptly points out it should either be wrong all the time or OK all the time

speaking as someone who used to have to clean the bottoms of the desks for detention there is much like drugs, gum in our schools
with positive proof that gum helps I say change the rule across the board
not sure about the hard to get off shoes comment as whenever I've had any on mine it's been fairly easy to clean and much less stinky (hint warm water, paint scrapper)

MSD · 02-20-2009, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JumpinJesus

What might help test performance is if we stop putting so much pressure on these students to perform for our benefit.

You have been reported to the Committee on Unamerican Activities.

Cynthetiq · 02-20-2009, 06:28 AM

maybe they should bring their teddy bears and their snuggle blankets... or even little voodoo dolls.

MSD · 02-20-2009, 06:46 AM

There should be a break between sections of the test where students are given voodoo dolls of the people who came up with NCLB and have to practice the social skill of sharing because there's only one flamethrower and one crossbow.

snowy · 02-20-2009, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JumpinJesus

Schools grasp at any straws they can when it comes to standardized tests.

The reality is that if the students weren't prepared before the test, chewing some Doublemint will not suddenly make a failing student pass, nor will it raise test scores across the board by giving the entire student body a stick of gum on test day.

What might help test performance is if we stop putting so much pressure on these students to perform for our benefit.

And for what benefit? The only thing a standardized test measures is a student's ability to take a test at that precise point in time. It doesn't really measure anything worth measuring. What good is a miniscule snapshot of a student's learning to me, when their body of knowledge and their ability to use it is constantly changing? As an assessment method, it's terrible.

And no, gum chewing shouldn't be allowed during a test. But as JJ suggested, there is so much pressure for schools to perform that they'll try anything to improve their scores. This pressure gets passed on to the kids. But I find it hypocritical and inconsistent for them to allow gum chewing on test day but at no other time. Consistency in modeling good behavior is key to teaching children good behavior; making exceptions to long-standing rules goes against that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSD

There should be a break between sections of the test where students are given voodoo dolls of the people who came up with NCLB and have to practice the social skill of sharing because there's only one flamethrower and one crossbow.

I like that idea.

MSD · 02-20-2009, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowy

And no, gum chewing shouldn't be allowed during a test.

Why not?

snowy · 02-20-2009, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSD

Why not?

Because it's inconsistent with the rule set that applies the rest of the time. Consistency is key in teaching kids good behavior. It's just not a good example to set, period.

ametc · 02-20-2009, 11:35 AM

I always chewed gum in school. It was just a matter of hiding it from the teacher.

They should also encourage kids to shake their legs as I did that a lot in school and always scored pretty high on tests. I also tapped my fingers and chewed on my pencils... but I think that would be pretty unsanitary for them to encourage that, now, huh?

02-16-2009, 07:59 AM	#2 (permalink)
Plan9 I Confess a Shiver	Whoa... is this why I chew gum all the time? Huh! I mean, I'm a chewing fiend. Just ask anybody. ... I'm okay with gum in schools as long as it used properly. No popping, no sticking it in Cuthbert VonNerdyface's hair, etc. __________________ *Whatever you can carry.* "You should not drink... and bake."

02-16-2009, 08:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
World's King Here Location: Denver City Denver	I didn't get gum when I took the CSAP's Cause that was many many years ago... __________________ heavy is the head that wears the crown

02-16-2009, 08:51 AM	#4 (permalink)
genuinegirly Eat your vegetables Super Moderator Location: Arabidopsis-ville	I enjoy chewing gum. I didn't appreciate it until recently when I realized the consistent movement relieved stress. I don't know if it should be allowed at elementary schools or not. The only thing worse than getting gum stuck on your shoe is stepping in doo. When I was a child, I often got bubble gum stuck in my hair or extra-large bubbles popped on my glasses. Gum was a nuisance before I gained complete control over the gum, and I can't blame teachers or schools for asking it not be present on campus. I would think in my case, relief of test anxiety would be achieved from chewing gum during a test, rather than increased mental focus. Interesting article. Thanks for bringing up the discussion. __________________ "Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq "violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy

02-16-2009, 08:56 AM	#5 (permalink)
ngdawg peekaboo Location: on the back, bitch	I chewed gum, had candy in my purse and snacked all day and I was a solid C student.... __________________ Don't blame me. I didn't vote for either of'em.

02-16-2009, 09:06 AM	#6 (permalink)
uncle phil comfortably numb... Super Moderator Location: upstate	i never enjoyed being surrounded by cows in school... __________________ "We were wrong, terribly wrong. (We) should not have tried to fight a guerrilla war with conventional military tactics against a foe willing to absorb enormous casualties...in a country lacking the fundamental political stability necessary to conduct effective military and pacification operations. It could not be done and it was not done." - Robert S. McNamara ----------------------------------------- "We will take our napalm and flame throwers out of the land that scarcely knows the use of matches... We will leave you your small joys and smaller troubles." - Eugene McCarthy in "Vietnam Message" ----------------------------------------- never wrestle with a pig. you both get dirty; the pig likes it.

02-16-2009, 09:07 AM	#7 (permalink)
Cynosure Psycho Location: the center of the multiverse	Note, I'm not questioning whether gum chewing, itself, should or should not be allowed in school. I'm not even questioning the merits or the consequences of having chewing gum in school. No, what I'm questioning is schools making a one and only exception of having students chew gum while taking the CSAP tests, and the ethical precedent that might present to the impressionable children-students. No, chewing gum is not illegal, and using it doesn't have any harmful or lasting effects. (Well, its frequent use can cause cavities.) So, students chewing gum to enhance their test score results isn't anything like athletes taking steroids to enhance their sports performance. Or is it? Because, everyone knows that gum chewing is not allowed at any time, at anywhere, in public schools, and hasn't been for generations. So, why should schools now allow an exception to this, for the CSAP tests – and only for those tests? Well, obviously it's because the results of the CSAP tests are so important to them, i.e. because of school jobs and funding. Last edited by Cynosure; 02-16-2009 at 09:09 AM..

02-16-2009, 09:21 AM	#8 (permalink)
genuinegirly Eat your vegetables Super Moderator Location: Arabidopsis-ville	I see your point. I don't think I could make the jump to connect gum chewing to steroid use, but I see what you mean. Is it only for this one exam, or are they permitted to chew gum for any standardized all-day test? __________________ "Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq "violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy

02-16-2009, 12:26 PM	#11 (permalink)
SSJTWIZTA Master Thief. Master Criminal. Masturbator. Location: Windiwana	we used to argue this point during the FCAT testing when i went to school as a kid in Florida. we always got denied. lucky little shits. __________________ First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the communists and I did not speak out because I was not a communist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist Then they came for me And there was no one left to speak out for me. -Pastor Martin Niemoller

02-16-2009, 04:22 PM	#12 (permalink)
JumpinJesus Junkie Location: Chicago	Schools grasp at any straws they can when it comes to standardized tests. The reality is that if the students weren't prepared before the test, chewing some Doublemint will not suddenly make a failing student pass, nor will it raise test scores across the board by giving the entire student body a stick of gum on test day. What might help test performance is if we stop putting so much pressure on these students to perform for our benefit. __________________ "I can normally tell how intelligent a man is by how stupid he thinks I am" - Cormac McCarthy, All The Pretty Horses

02-16-2009, 04:37 PM	#13 (permalink)
Bear Cub The Reverend Side Boob Location: Nofe Curolina	There sure is a lot of egg on my face now. To think, all those jokes about doing things while walking, completely down the shitter. __________________ Living in the United Socialist States of America.

02-16-2009, 08:23 PM	#14 (permalink)
Jimellow Junkie	I don't see why it should be allowed for tests if it isn't allowed any other time. Seems to send the message that it's OK to cheat, but only if the test is really important. If rules are set by an institution, it seems hypocritical to suddenly allow them to be broken solely as a means for bettering the said institution, but not any other time. __________________ Desperation is no excuse for lowering one's standards.

02-20-2009, 01:25 AM	#15 (permalink)
gardens Tilted Location: Kolob	why only one stick or two some people like 4 pieces to make a big wad it's a very bad precedent that their setting as your steroid example aptly points out it should either be wrong all the time or OK all the time speaking as someone who used to have to clean the bottoms of the desks for detention there is much like drugs, gum in our schools with positive proof that gum helps I say change the rule across the board not sure about the hard to get off shoes comment as whenever I've had any on mine it's been fairly easy to clean and much less stinky (hint warm water, paint scrapper)

02-20-2009, 06:28 AM	#17 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	maybe they should bring their teddy bears and their snuggle blankets... or even little voodoo dolls. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

02-20-2009, 06:46 AM	#18 (permalink)
MSD The sky calls to us ... Super Moderator Location: CT	There should be a break between sections of the test where students are given voodoo dolls of the people who came up with NCLB and have to practice the social skill of sharing because there's only one flamethrower and one crossbow.

02-20-2009, 11:35 AM	#22 (permalink)
ametc Psycho	I always chewed gum in school. It was just a matter of hiding it from the teacher. They should also encourage kids to shake their legs as I did that a lot in school and always scored pretty high on tests. I also tapped my fingers and chewed on my pencils... but I think that would be pretty unsanitary for them to encourage that, now, huh?