06/13/2016
This situation is out of control....for those children who pass without difficulties, we can see where there may not be a concern. But for those children who have dyslexia, dysgraphia or any learning difference, glitches like these are very disheartening.
I can completely understand the frustration from the teachers and administration who put in countless hours to prepare their students to pass these exams when "glitches" in the computer cause the education commissioner to "scrap the 5th & 8th grade results." Not to mention the waste of stress, time, energy and financial resources.
Now that I have that out of the way...let me enlighten you all on what has personally transpired in our home over the course of the last few months. I'll make it as short as possible but please take the time to read!
Marin had a lot of stress preparing for the first round of the STAAR tests (Reading and Math). She passed her reading but failed her math (by two questions). Or did she? Who knows, right?
The problem here is that she dealt with embarrassment, frustration, depression and anxiety and weight loss most likely from stress. She cried almost every single day and messaged me begging to come pick her up from school every day. Of course she had to stay for math intervention. We also did extra things at home in the evenings to help prepare her for her second attempt at the math STAAR so she could be promoted to the 9th grade without summer school. This was an extremely emotional time as we sat together encouraging her to do her best while she could only look at herself as a failure and stupid. She questioned how she was going to even pass the ACT or SAT to even get into college. As a mother my heart broke for her....not because I agreed with how she perceived herself but because I know that no matter what we tell her, her feelings of failure and feeling stupid are so very real and painful that it crushes her to her core. I know that Marin has a lot of determination and many gifts because of her dyslexia that others do not. There is no doubt in my mind that she will achieve whatever goals she sets for herself in life and her daddy and I will be right here beside her to make sure all her dreams come true.
She retook her math test and passed the second time.... OR did she? She may have even passed the first time and the second time or failed both times. Who knows?
The TEA needs to get it together. It is time that parents join together and fight to protect our children from the emotional abuse these standardized tests are causing. Some may think the words "emotional abuse" are a little extreme, but until you have witnessed your child experience what I have witnessed firsthand with Marin, you have no clue! Stress, nausea, migraines, crying spells, depression, anxiety, social withdrawal....the list goes on and on.
PARENTS: It's time we refuse to allow our children to sit for these tests and execute our rights as parents to protect our children from such emotional stress and trauma. It is ABUSE.
NOW IS THE TIME FOR CHANGE....take away the required STAAR for promotion of grades and graduation and let the teachers do what they LOVE to do....teach children to learn and to cultivate love for learning within our children....for they do hold the future in their hands.
Be it alone or with an army, I will protect my child!
http://educationblog.dallasnews.com/2016/06/state-waives-consequences-for-5th-and-8th-graders-who-fail-staar-tests.html/
By Eva-Marie Ayala After a testing season marred with computer glitches, lost tests and numerous other problems, Education Commissioner Mike Morath is tossing out the results for fifth and eighth…
