I had the opportunity to administer the TAKS test to a group of eighth graders today. If you are not familiar with TAKS, it stands for Texas Assentials of Knowledge and Skills and it's a standardized test used in Texas primary and secondary schools to assess students' attainment of reading, writing, math, science, and social studies skills required under Texas education standards.
Translation: A mind boggling, sleep inducing, sweat producing, stress levels through the roof exam. This does not apply to only students but to our teachers as well.
I checked in with our counselor (who, may I add, is absolutely wonderful), signed my life away and walked away with a box full of secured testing materials, seven pencils, seven highlighters and a florescent orange sign that said " Testing in Progress". It felt as if I was holding a porclean artifact with steep valuables inside. We were encouraged not to leave it unattended and hold tight if transitions should occur. I was so excited to administer such an imparative assessement. Our students have endured many tutoring sessions both in the morning and afterschool. This includes our Science and Math bootcamp on Fridays. So, I was completely looking forward to seeing excited faces. Excited meaning they know how much sweat blood and tears towards passing this exam was shed and a feeling of relief that it is over. Well, till next year.
I walked into the room where the testing was to occur, totally pumped and ready to distribute the test booklets. Instead of seeing happy faces, I see slumped over bodies, heads on the table and sweaters zipped all the way to their necks. Once the door closes, there is no talking and no communicating unless you are reading the directions. I wanted to hug each of them and wish them good luck. By the looks of things, these kids were anxious, bushed and barely motivated. Maybe it's because it was early. Maybe they didn't eat a good breakfast. Maybe their.... scared. I gave them a thumbs up and a big smile as I distributed the booklets and answer sheets. Maybe that would help. Maybe not.
Here's how TAKS works: Teachers are to teach according to a strict curriculum in order to prepare our students for TAKS. April arrives and it's the most stressful, sleepless month for those teachers and students. If a student does not pass TAKS, it is possible that he/she will be retained and scores may drop. This will not look good for teachers who teache TAKS grades. So, I can understand how they were feeling this morning. Or can I? I mean, who wants to work so hard, fail the test and have to repeat the grade? What's worse? repeating the same grade? Or facing embarrassment from peers for having to do so? The more I thought about it, the more I really felt for these students. Whats making our students more sleepy on test days? Lack of a good bedtime? Or stress?
I spent seven hours observing the emotions of the students. Some wanted to just sleep, as if it would make the test disappear. Some wanted numerous breaks. I let them have breaks. I didn't want them stressing each hour of this crazy day. Lunch seemed to be the only time they became themselves again. They all bunched up at the lunch tables with their chicken patties and fruit punch juices and didn't mention a WORD about the test. Why would they? That twenty five minutes was their escape. Each student who completed their test closed their booklets as if they never wanted it in their sight again. Tossing their pencils across the other side of the table as if it had betrayed them. Erasers were gone and the lead was dull. Highlighter marker lids on the floor. Lots of stretching and yawning. Lots. I couldn't tell what was worse, my feet in agony from the constant active monitoring or my students having to wait two months for their scores.
I have faith in my fellow, beautiful colleagues who use their passion wisely to teach these students. TAKS will not, should not, could not scare us. There should never be fear in learning. Oh TAKS, you come and go each year with a vengance, yet, we will defeat you.
No eating while testing... but what about cupcakes??
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