Standardized
As a habit leftover from our Virginia homeschooling days, the children take a nationally normed standardized test at the end of each school year. Though it isn’t required where we live now, we continue to do it because:
1) If anyone would ever question us about our schooling, we’ve got data to show our progress.
2) If any of our crew would decide to transfer to school, or if any attend college one day, they have these years of “bubble-filling” experience to help mitigate test anxiety.
3) It is reassuring to know that our style of learning does lead to factual knowledge.
4) Much lower on the reason scale is my own fond childhood memories of taking these tests. I loved these suckers.
When their scores were returned to us last week, we were all pleased. I showed Buds the scores, but the children weren’t really interested, so we just told them they had done well.
While waiting for the scores to be returned, I had been arming myself with excuses or reasons that I could use to explain if they didn’t do well.
*Standardized tests don’t really matter.
*They don’t really show learning.
*Our kids are obviously learning lots of things.
*We’ll find a different way to show their skills and knowledge should the need arise.
*I don’t believe bubble tests are the best way to know what a person knows.
Though I believe all those reasons, it would be better to focus on the vision in the letter from “Ms. Brown” that circulates the internet at testing time each year:
“My Dearest Students,
Next week you will take your State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) exam for Math and Reading. I know how hard you have worked, but there is something very important you must know:
They do not know that some of you speak two languages, or that you love to sing or draw. They have not seen your natural talent for dancing. They do not know that your friends count on you to be there for them, that your laughter can brighten the darkest day, or that your face turns red when you feel shy.
They do not know that you participate in sports, wonder about the future, or sometimes you help with your little brother or sister after school. They do not know that you are kind, trustworthy, and thoughtful…and every day you try to be your very best.
The scores you will get from this test will tell you something, but they will not tell you everything. There are many ways of being smart. You are smart! You are enough! You are the light that brightens my day!
So while you are preparing for the test and in the midst of it all, remember that there is no way to “test” all of the amazing and awesome things that make you, YOU!
Love, Ms. Brown”
“Ms. Brown” is so correct.
Giving the children these standardized tests has value, but the value isn’t just in the scores they receive.
When Buds created our new chore chart a couple weeks ago, he put “Love, Learn, Play” at the bottom to remind all of us what’s truly important to have in each day. That’s where I’ll put my faith.
