Stress of Standardized Testing

Hello Readers!

            This week I want to talk about statewide standardized testing. On Friday, I had a professional development day which included an information session on the upcoming test. My state recently made the decision to customize their own standardized test instead of moving forward with the national PARCC test. This school year will be the first time students take the new test.

            As a first year teacher, this will be first time experiencing state testing from the “other side.” I know what it is like to be the one taking the test, but now I am the proctor. It is completely nerve racking to have a brand new test that no one has seen before and to be in my position of first time proctor. I want so badly for my students to perform well on the test because the test results are a reflection on the teacher. However, my challenge is guessing the standards that will make up the majority of the test. How do I know that I am doing enough to prepare my students for success? Will I have taught them everything they need to know to score proficiently?

            There is a mental clock that is counting down the days until testing. My students will be taking their English Language Arts exams during the second and fourth weeks of April. This means that after February vacation, I will have roughly five weeks to get my students prepared. Testing definitely sneaks up on you ;)    As I write lesson plans for the week after break, my focus is on test preparation. I don’t want to teach to the test (nor can I since no one knows for sure what the test will look like), but I want to review and emphasize the necessary skills my students will need.

            I am grateful that I have a supportive grade level team of colleagues who are helping me to stay calm. My principal is also giving me priceless advice and reminding me that the test results are only a snapshot. They show only a glimpse of a teacher’s success. My focus should not be on the end result, but instead should be on the student growth from September to April. It’s conversations like this that change my mindset from anxious worrywart to confident educator.

Until Next Time,

~A