It's That Time of Year...(For Standardized Testing)

The teacher passed out the bubble answer sheets first. The chatter that had only moments ago filled the room had been replaced by the building tension, shuffling of feet and shifting in seats. Next came the test booklet; sealed of course. The tension was growing thicker and thicker. Even the clock seemed to tick louder. Pencils were within centimeters of being grabbed as instructions were given. Hearts pounded. Sweat beaded. Breathing became shallow. And then, "Begin."

Standardized testing and reporting; or STAR begins this week in the Murrieta Valley Unified School District. In Virginia, it was called "Standards of Learning" or for short, SOL. Well when I was a kid, SOL stood for something else entirely and it was something you did not want to be. 

Ever since she has been in school, Kristin has stressed almost to the point of panic attacks over these tests. She says teachers put a lot of pressure on the kids. I think that may be only slightly true. I say slightly because young people interpret things so differently than we do.  "Do your very best!" they might also say,  "Try as hard as you can."  

This is a rough time for students and teachers alike. The teachers have enough on their plate as they tie all the loose ends of the school year that once again has breezed past us. They also are cheering the kids on to do their very best on these tests. The kids in turn feel more pressure. It's a vicious cycle. I have seen kids become physically ill over this. Let me clarify, I do not blame teachers for this. We all create our own stress levels. In fact, teachers themselves are just as stressed, if not more than our kids. So the question is, who is this time of year hardest on:  the kids, the teachers or the parents? 

I wish all your school age kids good luck during their testing. Maybe a post testing celebration is in order!