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Coming up on Connections: Tuesday, March 31st

First hour: Brighton superintendent Kevin McGowan on state tests, funding, and more

Second hour: Colon cancer

In our first hour, state English and Math tests in grades 3-8 are coming in the next several weeks, and school districts across the state have debated how to handle them. Some districts are supplying parents with a ready-made form to opt their children out of the tests, if they choose to do so. But Brighton superintendent Kevin McGowan sent parents a different kind of letter. His letter indicated that tests can be helpful ways to compare student progress, and the tests should be taken as an opportunity for students to "tackle tasks that may be challenging" and to "show others their personal best."

In studio: Kevin McGowan, Brighton superintendent

Then, in our second hour,

a first-of-its-kind study shows that achieving the goal of an 80% screening rate for people age 50 and older by 2018 would have a substantial impact against colorectal cancer – the third leading cause of cancer death among both men and women in the U.S. We're looking at colon cancer and answering our listeners' questions. In studio:

Dr. Jeffrey Goldstein, gastroenterologist for Rochester Regional Health System
Jason Coleman, American Cancer Society

On the phone: Dr. Alvaro Carrascal, Vice President of Health Systems in New York and New Jersey for the American Cancer Society