Using a computer’s eye would send a cold message to student writers

Re “Mass. may grade MCAS essays with computer’’ (Page A1, May 22): In considering the use of computers to score student essays, the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education would do well to note the words of Truman Capote: “Writing has laws of perspective, of light and shade just as painting does, or music. If you are born knowing them, fine. If not, learn them. Then rearrange the rules to suit yourself.’’

What message do we send our students when we ask them to pour their heart and soul into a piece that no human will ever read? The primary consideration for any change should be the impact on the classroom. Using computers as scorers would reduce writing instruction to a formulaic and standardized process. Creative writing and poetry would be neglected, and we would emphasize how we write and lose the why and what. Students would not be encouraged to find their personal voice through their writing.

Seeking what is fast and cheap at the expense of quality is unacceptable. Getting scores earlier would not be helpful if those scores are flawed. If grading MCAS essays is too “labor-intensive,’’ then we should revisit why we test writing at all. The message to educators, once again, is that scores matter over all else.

Just imagine the pushback that would occur if all English language arts teachers suddenly decided that grading student essays is too much work and should be done by machine. Such a move is insulting to our students and detrimental to instruction, and it lowers the bar on quality.

Rebecca Cusick

Fall River

The writer is a teacher and the president of the Fall River Educators’ Association.

While we’re at it, let’s have computers take the test too

I am thrilled to hear that the members of the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education are considering having students’ MCAS essays scored by computer.

Having gone this far, I hope the members of DESE will take the next, bold step: develop a computer algorithm than can answer any essay question the MCAS throws at it.

That way, computers can take the MCAS and then grade their work. The benefits are obvious: MCAS scores will be uniformly high, and students will no longer have to suffer though a time-consuming and anxiety-producing test of questionable value.

Neil M. Kulick

Newton

The writer teaches English in the Westwood Public Schools.