It’s That Time of Year: Standardized Tests Galore
Dear Students,
Today you are taking your SOL state standardized tests. I know that you are worried, nervous, and anxious to get them over with. The teachers and administrators and parents talk about these tests all year long, and I know you’ve been listening. Now here we are, mere hours from the time you will sit down in front of a computer for 2 + hours and demonstrate to the Commonwealth of Virginia everything you can remember about all 19 math standards, 7 science standards, 10 History standards, and and gazillion ELA standards that have been taught to you over the last 9 months.
You will be asked to read passages of text that will be, for some of you, three grade levels above what you can independently comprehend. Followed by questions that will involve multi-step problem solving and inferencing skills that I have just begun to see emerge in some of you. For the 50% of my class with ADD or ADHD, I pray that you can remember the strategies that I have taught you as you battle your ever-firing neurons to focus on the assessment in front of you. You guys may as well be taking two tests at once.
To those of you with dyslexia and decoding weaknesses, I am so sorry that I cannot provide the support you need to help you during this test. I know if I just helped you pronounce that ONE WORD, you would completely understand what they are asking you, but you know that I cannot do that on standardized tests.
Please know how much that kills me. I want so badly to help.
Dear Students, we have talked all year about Fair vs. Equal, and this is one of those times that we are all EQUAL. We don’t all learn the same way, but we are tested the same way. Is that fair? If you ask me, no. I, however, didn’t get a say in the administration of these standardized tests. This is a good example of how life works though, which often, is NOT FAIR.
But we are nothing if not flexible, right? Sometimes, we have to go with the flow. This is one of those times, and we’ve got this.
Let me tell you a secret.
The SOL’s think that they are testing EVERYTHING you have learned all year, but when you look at your scores, please know that they are only testing about 20% of what you have learned. Only 20%! Sounds odd, doesn’t it? But, let me recap what you have learned this year and I’ll prove it:
You Have Learned that You Have Every Reason to be Confident
You have worked incredibly hard this year to learn some difficult material. Those of you who used to answer questions with a question because you weren’t sure of your answer, are now proudly shouting your opinions! Many of you never even raised your hands at first and now I see you volunteering for everything. And you should be! You guys have learned a lot and should take pride in that.
You Learned How to Make New Friends
You have learned how to navigate the social world that is forever changing around you. It is a challenge to accept new people into your circle of friends, but you guys make it look easy.
You’ve Learned to Trust Yourself
You know that you can figure it out. You know that if you take the time, you can find any answer.
You have Learned Time Management
This is a hard one but everyone has improved! You ALL have shown better use of time at home AND at school. This skill will take you farther than any test score will.
You have Learned How to Ask For Help
It may sound easy, but I know from experience it is HARD to ask for help. It takes humility and honesty with yourself to realize and accept that you need assistance with something. You have all learned that it’s ok to ask for help, and HOW to ask to be most effective.
You Have Learned that You ARE a Strong Reader
Yup, you really are! The fact that you still read “below grade level” doesn’t discount the 4 grade level increase you made in one year. That, dear student, is the mark of a true, determined, and strong reader.
You Have Learned How to Be Better at Math Than You Thought!
Admit it, you honestly thought that math was your “worst subject.” Turns out you were wrong, because you have learned what strategies you need to succeed, and how to use them effectively.
You Have Learned How to Respectfully Disagree
It is not easy to argue, but if you are going to have a debate you had better do it with respect! You have learned that even when you don’t agree, you can share your ideas and opinions without hurting anyone’s feelings.
also,
- You Have Learned How to GIVE and Take Constructive Criticism
- You Have Learned How to Work in a Group
- You Have Learned How Important it is to Support Each Other
- You Have Learned How to Problem Solve
- You have Learned Responsibility (Financial and Personal)
- You Have Learned Accountability
AND… You learned Science, History, Math, and Language Arts. By my count, that is a total of 18 concepts that you learned this year.
Only those last 4 are tested.
These tests are important. They are important to the school, to the principals, to me, and to you and your parents. I know that you want to make us proud. I am not worried about your performance today, because you have made me proud all year long. Your score on this test will not change what I know about the other 78% of you. I have had the privilege of knowing ALL 100% of you this year, not just the 22% that can tell me about Math, Science, History and English.
I have taught you everything you need to know for these standardized tests, and you have learned all you are going to learn. Walk in there today and remember that everything you knew in my classroom is still in your head. Just take it slow and do your very best.
We’ve got this!
Sincerely,
Your Teacher
For a student-friendly version of this letter that you can send home with your class, visit the FREE RESOURCES PAGE!
Loved this post! And completely agree with you! We don´t learn the same way but we are all tested the same way. Some of the most profound knowledge we acquire in school is never tested until life actually passes the test. Such an inspirational post! Wish this post was around when I was in school! Thanks for sharing it! 🙂
Thank you so much! I really appreciate the positive feedback! My students work so hard, they need to know that there is more to life than that score. It’s just a little bit of what they know!
I love love love this! Sharing it on Facebook! Sooooooooo true – I hate standardized tests. My students are so much more than that stupid test.
Oh my goodness, THANK you! I agree, there is so much more to them that that test. It is hard because the tests are necessary, but there is so much pressure put on teachers and kids. I want mine to know it is not ALL about the tests.
Beautifully powerful! I wish you could give a copy to everyone who has to take a standardized test. (Sidenote: your students use a computer for the test? That has to be hard!)
Thank you so much! I actually created a student copy that I think I’ll attach to the post for teachers to download. I gave it to my students last week 🙂 There is more to life than tests! And yes, they test on computers. In some ways, it’s good but others it is harder. They change every year so we will see how this year turns out!
We all hate standardized tests and the fact that they don’t evaluate skills that can’t be quantified. Often the scores are compared to other students or other schools instead of showing how the same student has grown since last year.
However, as long as they are required, it would be good to give students tips to maximize their scores. Such as, every day (not just test day) get to bed early enough to come to school rested and on time. Eat breakfast.
If you get stuck on a problem, move on and answer all the questions you know; go back to the others if there is time.
Please give students strategies to be more successful instead of merely telling them how many things they’ve learned that won’t be on the test.
Andrea, thank you for sharing your thoughts. I agree it is frustrating when students are tested in one way only, and not able to show growth as a factor of their success. Honestly, I am not against standardized testing. I believe we all should have a standard to which we are held, and I think having a measure in place to keep everyone on the same wavelength as far as what/how to teach is important and useful. However, a large portion of my class falls under the “special education” umbrella. These students work harder than most just to barely scratch grade level “standards” in some cases. It was for these students, primarily, that I wrote this letter. Despite the fact that some have increased their reading level by 5 grade levels, they are still considered “below grade level standard” and will likely struggle on these tests. I want them to know that their worth is not determined by their score because there is more to life than school. One of my students is extremely gifted as a craftsmen. He can build anything from scratch, visualizing his final product as he works. He will grow to be a successful man, I have no doubt, but if he were to base his success on his SOL scores, he’d feel pretty defeated. I want them to remember, as they are struggling, that I KNOW THEY ARE GREAT. And don’t worry, I have been teaching them strategies all year long for testing. They have been taught to get enough sleep, how to handle difficult problems, and as for breakfast, well I provide that for them on testing days. At this point in the year they know all of these things, but they need reassurance that this test is not the “end all be all.” Again, thank you for your input and support of our students 🙂
I love this post! I’ve never seen a teacher address standardized tests this way. They are so unfair. Every person learns in a different way and have their own issues that could be hindering them when it comes to learning. BUT what I love most about your post, is how you turn it around and you make it positive. You tell them they can do this because of all the things they have learned this year and all of the ways they have grown. This was a really great read!
Thank you so much, I really appreciate your comments! These tests can get to everyone and make teachers, students, and parents nervous. The kids feel this and get anxious themselves! I want them to feel confident going in, and know how great they really are 🙂
I totally agree with this. Standardized tests don’t test what you have learned. It is the bain of every teacher, student and parent. Your letter is spot on.
Thank you! We have to take them, but we just need to keep everything in perspective 🙂
I love this so much! I used to hate to take standardized tests. Now that my daughter is in school, she’s going to have to start taking them, and I’ll have to share this with her so that she understands how they aren’t the end all!
Thank you! So many of my students were stressing this year, I felt compelled to write something to them, to boost their confidence a bit.
This is so sweet! I absolutely love this! So many students need to read this!
Thank you! I really appreciate the positive feedback!
Beautifully written! I have been part of the Opt-Out/Refusal movement in NY for the past 5 years. Our kids are so much more than a test score, thank you for reminding them of that.
Wow I didn’t know there was a movement! Thanks for sharing, and thank you for the support 🙂
As a former teacher, I can totally relate. Wonderful pos!
Thank you! I love to connect with other educators 🙂
I love this post. My poor daughter hates these tests and I hate how upset she gets. Teachers like you are the ones who make a difference!
Thank you, we try to make it less stressful for them!