Pressure And Testing In Schools

To the Editor:

I read with great interest the story of the 8-year-old boy who was “suffering terribly during preparation” for the CMTs. The problem seems to lie in preparing for the test and not the testing itself. In the parent’s own words, “He has had it ingrained in him that these tests are extremely important.”

Somehow an undue significance on taking the test has been laid upon this child. It seems to me that in this case the test and the taking of the test are a secondary matter. If I was in this situation, I believe my main concerns would be finding the source of the pressure and removing it. This child needs to understand that he just has to do his best. This test measures the teachers and programs of the school and that is important to the adults; all the children can do is go in and answer the questions the best way they can.

Don’t misunderstand — I don’t believe that NCLB is a viable way of deciding what schools get the money. Every child should have the opportunity to learn and advance at their own level, and opportunity is difficult to test. I think that the public schools have to spend a lot of time “prepping for the test” and that in and of itself can send the “pressure message” to a child. I send my prayers to Ms Pierce’s son. I hope that he will be able to see that the only things expected of him on the test days are the same things expected of him each day he goes to school: do your best, have fun, and learn something new.

Sincerely,

Deb McGrath

11 Yogananda Street Sandy Hook                                March 6, 2006