Our Experience with Standardized Testing

This week we are in the middle of taking our state mandated standardized testing.  It really makes for a hard week.  I have easily forgotten how exhausting the testing is because I have not taken a test for over 20 years.  This is Super Stuffy’s third testing experience, and Bear Bear’s first.  I have had experience as a teacher administrating the test to a classroom full of students, but it is completely different when I am giving it to my own children.

My first feeling is fear.  Because I tend to lean more toward the pessimistic side of life, I am afraid that we will not have done enough, my child is not going to perform up to grade level and the state will force me to send my kids to school.  Because of that fear, I had Super Stuffy take the first grade test, even though at the time the state mandated it to be taken during 2nd, 4th, 8th, and 11th grades.  I wanted to make sure that he would be ready.

It was probably the hardest week of our school year.  At this point, Stuffy couldn’t read, but I knew that I couldn’t help him with the test.  By the end of the week, we both collapsed in exhaustion.  I sent it in to be scored, and I was very relieved to know that he was performing up to grade level.

The next year, Stuffy had to take the test.  I was once again fearful, this time because this test was for real.  The big problem: Stuffy still was not a fluent reader.  Encouraging him to persevere, we did several sections each day.  He had no problems with the science, social studies, and math sections.  The tough parts were the language sections.  As we worked through the test, I became a little bit frustrated because a good share of the questions didn’t make sense.  I also know that these tests don’t really reflect what he knows. You cannot measure his knowledge by a pencil and paper test.   By the end of the test, I decided that I wouldn’t push him to take the test every year.  It was not worth the frustration.

The results of this test came back well above average.  We both breathed a sigh of relief.  We wouldn’t have to test again for two years.  I also would not need to give the test to Bear Bear when she was in second grade.

This year, my fear has changed.  I am no longer afraid that my children won’t be up to grade level.  My fear is more basic.  I am just afraid of how my children will respond to the test.  I have been preparing Super Stuffy for the test for the past month, and because of his previous frustrating experiences, he was dreading it, and teaching Bear Bear to dread it as well.  

Our first testing day, Monday, was the hardest.  Because of his fear, it took Stuffy a while to calm down and focus on the test.  Once he got going, however, his mood improved, although when that testing session ended he said his brain was tired.  He was able to read most of the test this time, and it made the test so much easier for him.  He was cheering himself on when he was doing the math sections by saying, “Here comes math boy!”

The first day of our testing was extremely hard for Bear Bear because this was her first experience with “filling in the bubbles”.  I decided to order a practice test for her this year just so that she could get her feet wet.  She struggled with keeping her place and filling in the bubbles, and by the end of the day she had had enough.  However, the next couple of days went easier, and by the end of her test she had no problems whatsoever.  I am very glad that I had given her a practice test.  

As I write, Bear Bear has finished, and Super Stuffy works hard through his second to last day of testing.  As I listen to him do the test, I have to admit that I am really impressed with how he is reading and working his way through it.  He is persevering, and seems to be more encouraged this time around because he is not struggling with reading it.  

I am also glad that we can do this at home.  I can administer the test to my children in a way that works best for them while keeping to the instructions.  We can take as many breaks as are needed, and they both have the advantage of one on one help if they need it.  

I have a love/hate relationship with standardized testing.  The one thing that I like about it is that it confirms what I believe about where my child is performing academically.  It also shows me where we need to pick up the slack a little bit. 

I do not like the standardized test because it does not give anywhere near a complete picture of what my child knows.  You can learn more about that by just having a daily conversation with him/her.  I also do not like the fact that it reduces my child to a number.  They are so much more than that!  Also, it makes every child fit into the same prescribed box.  It is a cookie cutter test, and it compares my child to every other child out there.  My child is unique.

All in all, we take the standardized tests because it is a requirement of the law.  If I had the choice, I would not do it.  Because I spend every day with my children working, playing, and conversing, I am aware of what they know.  God gave me the responsibility of teaching my child.  It is not a command that I take lightly.  I do not need the law of the state to tell me to educate my child.

I would love to hear about your standardized testing experience with your child(ren).  Send me an email to tell me all about it.