Students won’t be allowed to used calculators on parts of the Minnesota Basic Skills math test for the first time in seven years.

Instead, there will be a section of questions the students will have to solve by doing the calculations in their heads or by using scratch paper.

Imagine that: doing the calculations in their heads or on scratch paper! We believe the change is a good one, and one that should prove whether kids can do basic math without calculators.

The change &045; mandated by the Legislature three years ago &045; is part of a national debate over the use of calculators in the math classroom. Since the class of 2000, students must pass the state Basic Skills Tests in math, reading and writing in order to earn a diploma. Students first take the math test in eighth grade and most &045; about 81 percent last year &045; pass on their first attempt.

Sure, calculators are important tools for complicated math concepts. But for basic concepts, some students are using them as a crutch. It’s nice to see that crutch thrown away for the test to ensure all students are mastering basic concepts.

Multiple choice questions on the test will be similar to these:

1. Elise bought 8 1/2 yards of material. She used 3 1/4 yards for pants. How many yards does she have left?

2. A pen costs $1.39. Sarah bought 3 pens. Not including tax, how much did Sarah pay?

3. Tony wanted a bike regularly priced at $800. He bought the bike at 20 percent off the regular price. How much did Tony save?

4. Henri had a $40 restaurant bill. He decided to leave a 15 percent tip. How much did Henri leave?

5. Mia typed 120 words in 5 minutes. What was Mia’s average number of words typed per minute?

Not complicated questions, surely, just questions anyone should be able to handle without the help of a calculator.

We don’t expect students not to use calculators, but there’s nothing wrong with anyone being able to make simple calculations or solve simple problems on their own.