I don't know where to start with this one, from a Boston advice column:
Dear Chatters: LAMBERMOM said her 10-year old daughter began pulling her hair because she was worried about the MCAS. She asked Chatters for advice and support.ANTI-MCAS MOM: Maybe the problem isn't with your daughter. Maybe it's with the state education leaders thinking they have to scare 10-year-olds into preparing for a test to the extent that kids literally pull their hair out...Believe me, your daughter is not alone in her nervousness and extreme anxiety...
To find out about tens of thousands of other parents who are working to change things so our kids won't have to pull their hair out over the MCAS, go to the MassCARE website, www.caremass.org, and join us. Education reform shouldn't be about giving our children nervous habits they didn't have before.
Nervous habits like literacy and numeracy?
I shouldn't be mean. A 10-year-old who is this nervous is not a good thing. However, I'm not convinced that the mother's first response should be to eradicate anything that is causing this nervousness. This may be the first test her daughter is facing, but it won't be the last. Wouldn't it be more useful to help the daughter prepare for the exams? Talk with her about the anxiety and let her know that it's pretty much a part of everyday life? Perhaps hire a tutor or even (I can't believe I'm saying this) a test prep instructor?
Thanks to Reginleif for the link; she sent it to me with a subject line that read, simply, "Oy." I have to agree.
Posted by kswygert at April 17, 2005 12:30 PM