Maine is now testing its third-graders regularly, and teachers are having to walk a fine line of test prep and emotional support:
They want the students to take the tests seriously, because they're used by the state and federal government to measure whether schools are teaching students math and reading effectively. But they don't want to pressure young students new to the game of high-stakes testing."We tell them to just do their best," said Hall-Dale Elementary School third-grade teacher Maureen Mathews. "You want to them to know it's important. But you don't want to make them nervous."
Love the photo of one neophyte examinee, who appears to be a direct descendant of Dame Judi Dench.
Posted by kswygert at March 8, 2006 09:16 AM