State Testing is a controversial topic for any school, but it's an especially stressful time for a "failing" school.
Yesterday marked our first day of the Measurement of Student Progress, or MSP. Tensions were high throughout the building. My 7th graders were testing on the expository writing skills-- they tested on something I taught them.
And like I said, tensions were high.
But they did it. They completed their essays in the alotted time, and though I'm not allowed to read them, they looked beautiful upon glancing. Better than anything they've put forth all year!
Today, the 2nd day of the writing test (today is Persuasive Writing), instead of being thick with tension, the room is buzzing. Students came in laughing, joking with each other, and just generally happy. And so did I. They brought my spirits up.
I shared with them a study I heard on the radio this morning about people with higher stress and anxiety; stress is a way for your body to prepare itself for what's coming, so a lot of people with stress do better. I also shared with them that the energy in the room is so much better today! One student said, "I think that's because we're not as nervous today." Another said, "Yeah, after yesterday, we know we got this."
After a very, very hard year (which I've failed to write about, sorry...), my students are coming out on top.
I won't know the scores until August, but their confidence is so impressive. As much as they drive me crazy, I love these kids, and I'm so proud of them.
Teachers, pump your kids up about testing. We all hate it... but ALL of our kids can excel on these things. They are rock stars.
