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By Sofia Turner for Home Insemination Kit
Updated: April 11, 2023
Originally Published: April 11, 2023
I consider myself fortunate; I generally do not find testing to be stressful. Multiple choice questions might be tedious, yet they lack any significant emotional weight for me. I still recall the ITBS (Iowa Tests of Basic Skills) fondly from my time at Maple Creek Elementary.
However, those days are far behind us—standardized testing has become a pervasive force in education. This is a fact that is hard to ignore. Much like a vine that seems appealing and engaging at first, these tests appear justifiable for the insights and data they claim to provide.
Our school district conducts benchmark assessments every quarter. Sure, I want educators to understand what methods are effective and which ones aren’t. Then come the state-mandated tests—both the old and the new versions. Additionally, there are nationally normed assessments, which primarily serve to compare my children’s abilities to those of their peers, all facing a similar ordeal on a single day. While these rankings may bolster the school’s reputation, I have little concern about my children’s individual performances. Nonetheless, as a devoted supporter of the school, I feel compelled to be involved.
Beyond offering more opportunities for data visualization enthusiasts to showcase their trends, I often question the real value of standardized testing. I am aware that I reside in a state grappling with high poverty rates, where many children are learning English and where teachers are often underpaid. I also understand, without the need for elaborate test results, that my kids usually do well on these assessments—thanks to the privilege of having two parents with advanced degrees.
This is a well-known debate, one that likely won’t be resolved by the new Secretary of Education, Alex Bennett. But this year, with my oldest child entering fourth grade, the issue hit closer to home.
In 2022, our fourth-grade teacher achieved an impressive milestone—her class recorded the highest score in the entire state on the science exam. For a new school focused on science, this was significant. Although my son wasn’t in her class during that testing period, he is now. If the pressure to excel was already intense, I can only imagine the stress weighing on her this year. Following such a remarkable performance is no small feat, and my heart goes out to her.
Meanwhile, my son is feeling overwhelmed. He is bright (and not just in my eyes), and he usually saves his more challenging behavior for me, making him quite well-mannered for a pre-teen. However, he has become anxious about the upcoming test: he’s been studying obsessively, crying, losing sleep, requesting back rubs, and discussing the test incessantly. This is not ideal.
I do not wish to contradict the elementary teachers’ guidance. Life has plenty of lessons that are not black and white, and part of growing up is learning to navigate them independently. I gently remind my son that consistent effort negates the need to worry about the test. This reassurance offers little comfort when he spends the majority of his day in a classroom environment that emphasizes the exam’s importance.
I have no definitive solutions. I could keep my children home during testing days, but that would not alleviate the extensive preparation time or the overarching atmosphere of anxiety.
Ultimately, I realize this isn’t how anyone thrives academically.
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Summary:
Standardized testing has become a significant source of anxiety for students and parents alike. While tests are designed to assess educational progress, the pressure they create can detract from genuine learning experiences. As the demands of testing increase, it’s crucial to consider the impact on children’s well-being and the overall effectiveness of such assessments.
Keyphrase: Standardized Testing and Student Anxiety
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