Today in third and fourth grade classrooms across Texas, children of all incomes, backgrounds, nationalities and abilities are taking the much talked about and equally dreaded TAKS test.
I am all for education and I realize there has to be a standard set somehow to judge success, but the TAKS test just seems so extreme. Teachers are nervous, kids are anxious, principals are stressed and school boards and administrators pray their kids do well so they will have a budget the next year. IMO there is way too much emphasis put on this test, and way too much pressure put on our 8, 9 & 10 year olds! I read in the Dallas Morning News that before all this testing started, the average third grade teacher in Texas taught third grade for 10 or more years. Now the average is below four years. That speaks to the pressure put on our teachers and perhaps the diminishing quality of third grade and higher education.
Since Kolby is only in 2nd grade we don't have to personally worry about this test for another year and have never talked about the TAKS test. But this morning as she got ready for school, Kolby told me all the TAKS rules for today. No recess, no eating in the lunch room, and no library today. She said the whole school needed to be quiet "for the poor third and fourth graders" taking the TAKS. She made sure I knew that I could not visit the school today. She's a rules girl! She even said that she was praying for all her third grade friends to make A's on the test so they could go to 4th grade. That isn't exactly how it goes, but it is sad that she thinks that. I am going to join Kolby and say a few prayers for all the teachers, students, parents and administrators dealing with TAKS today.
There is much more to education than test scores and much more to success than passing a standardized test. For the sake of our kids, our schools, and our future, I hope the Texas legislature will stop being so political and stop wasting time and money (as it has for the last 6 years) and start taking the steps needed to properly fund, regulate and advance public education in our state. Until then, God bless all the kids who are taking the TAKS!
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Thanks for the prayers! My house is very stressful the night before these stupid tests! Last year Brianna was literally sick (I'll spare you the details) the night before and of course with a teacher husband it is even worse. He finally got home at 7:30, ate real quick, then had to read all the rules. Alas, this is just the beginning, 2 more in April - then 6 weeks of actual learning before the end of school!
Carrie
Yes, God bless them!
When we were leaving school today, I asked Matthew if he had gotten a new AR book. He said, "Mom, the library was closed because the third and fourth graders are taking the TAKS test!" I am surprised that the kindergarteners knew about it. He sounded so grown up!
Thanks for the post. As a second grade teacher I could echo the concerns you have shared. I went in the office about 6:00 this evening and there were still two kids taking the tests. Can we believe this is effective?
As a relatively new teacher I pay honor to those who have taught for years and still try to do what is right in spite of all the government regulation that makes teaching increasingly difficult!
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