One of the hardest things I've done in my teaching career was to tell my kiddos what they made on their TAKS tests (reading, writing, math). The first few kids on the list were easy...commended on all three tests. It got difficult pretty quick with the third kid having failed every test. I asked how he thought he did. He responded with a non-convincing, "I guess okay." I then informed him how he did. He immediately fell to the ground and tears streamed down his face. What was I supposed to say?? Why didn't you do your best? I know you failed these because you refuse to do your work in class, you turned your test in too early, you sleep when you're in class, and it was a true indication of your progress. I know this would never be appropriate to say, but it's true. It's a tough reality, but it is reality.
I also had kids who failed all three tests immediately question, "Does this mean I have to go to summer school? Do I get to go to 5th grade?" No, you don't have to go to summer school and yes, you still get to go to 5th grade. Is this right? I don't think it is, but it's what happens. This child proceeded to go in the room and yell, "I failed all 3 and I still get to go to 5th grade! SWEET!" What?!? He quickly got a talk about how he should not be proud or bragging about failing the tests. I couldn't believe this.
On the flip side of these disappointing conversations, I did get to congratulate a few kids on their successes on the tests. They were so proud of themselves. It's something they've been waiting a long time to hear and something that some of them worked so hard to accomplish. This was my first experience in state testing and I'll stand by what I've always said about the nonsense they call standardized testing. It's all about accountability and it's all a bunch of BS! Why aren't these kids being held accountable for their actions? Why am I the only one being accountable for these?
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