Champions of the Testing Season

As a Learning Specialist, my job is to monitor and support learning in early childhood through fifth-grade classes. This is the place of my ultimate joy and satisfaction – seeing children grow, witnessing their struggles, and their hard-fought accomplishments. The daily struggles seem like small roadblocks to adults, but to children, struggles loom large. And if you have a learning difference, struggles can seem overwhelming. We do all in our power to motivate and encourage the young minds in our charge. Sometimes these efforts work right away, sometimes it takes a long time to see the fruits of our labor.

This week is spring standardized testing for grades 3 to 5. Even though we keep the atmosphere low-key, many children are nervous and get worried that they won’t meet their parents’ or the school’s expectations. The week before testing, I introduce the testing schedule and format to each grade, then we do a practice run to make sure their Chromebooks are working properly, and they know how to log in to the app. Teachers have been careful to keep the tone positive and to practice test-taking skills.

When the big day comes, teachers are nervous about the technology working, and there is a frenzy of excitement. Once the time comes, we all settle down and start to work. I am in charge of the students who receive extended time, along with four colleagues. My 4th graders are still getting the hang of organizing their belongings, so the first few minutes are spent gathering Chromebooks, chargers, snacks, and water bottles. The students have been given a checklist, but there are still lapses and forgetfulness. After all, these are children, and they are still learning what it means to be prepared.

One of the proctors, who is new to teaching, is working separately with one student who gets very worried about testing to the point of dread. This soon-to-be teacher placed small Post-it notes with affirmations around the student’s desk, creating bright yellow points of light. The proctor then had the student read the affirmation aloud before each test: I can do hard things; I am capable; I can… be… do… anything I put my mind to; I am smart, brave, and important; I choose courage over fear! As soon as the student read the affirmations, she smiled. I could tell a veil had lifted, and she was ready to attack the test. She may not get every answer right, she may struggle, but in the process, she is building grit and determination. And isn’t that what learning is all about? There is no doubt in my mind that this proctor is going to be an amazing teacher because she has the heart to empathize and encourage struggling students.

In the forty-eight years that I have had the privilege to teach, I think my paramount goal has been to encourage resilience and foster joy. I look out into the classroom now and see one student who finished way too early, one who is chewing her fingernails, one who has the privacy screen over her head, and one who has her head down diligently working. They are all learning how to negotiate their time, solve problems, and show what they know. All the ingredients that encompass success. They are champions of the testing season. And I will keep cheering them on!