Sending Off My Nervous Baby Into the World – of Standardized Testing « MomsRising Blog

Sending Off My Nervous Baby Into the World – of Standardized Testing « MomsRising Blog:

Sending Off My Nervous Baby Into the World – of Standardized Testing

by Homa Tavangar

I’m mad this morning.  My eight-year old (8!, yes, just 8! in third grade!) is a nervous wreck.  Today is the first day of PSSA (Pennsylvania System of School Assessment, or Pissed Students Seriously Anxious?!) Standardized testing at her school.  They’ve been prepping for weeks (or is it months?) to score stellar points on the test. She feels personally responsible to do great and not let down her beloved teacher.  They’re even allowed to break the ultimate elementary school rule and CHEW GUM IN CLASS during the test, since it’s supposed to stimulate brain activity.  One lasting lesson here: do whatever it takes to get a high score.

The goal: so their school looks good.  So their school will come out on top – again – in public reviews that get published in multiple media outlets which drive real estate prices upwards, and keep the local tax base healthy