ADHD and Standardized Tests

I had my lesson plans set for the week and was ready to go this morning when Mr. H. and Mr. C. found me this morning and told me that Acuity Testing started today. I'll be honest, I knew it was this week, I had just forgotten that little tidbit of information over the weekend. Perhaps that's because my nose was in so many good books. :-) So, I told the guys I would get the tests done today and tomorrow.

I will be honest, I didn't really think through the details of the testing, I just knew it needed to be done. So, as the morning progessed I found myself in a bit of a pickle. First off, all the teachers were sending their kids, which was fine, but I am back in the closet of a classroom, so chairs were a problem. Secondly, I had to give it to fourth and fifth graders who have different versions of the test. I stood there for a moment, said a silent prayer, and made some quick decisions that worked pretty well.

Of course, my biggest challenge of the day came when some of the students entered with the Language Arts portion of the test. There are actually two versions, a math portion and a Language Arts portion. The Math test I can read to them, but the LA part I can't because it's testing their reading abilities.

So, I read the directions to the students, and said, "okay, do your best!" and started doing some of my own paperwork that I needed to get done. I wish the people in the State who decided to make the rule about reading to the Special Education kids, or the people in our Federal Gov't who came up with No Child Left Behind, could come sit in my classroom on a day like today.

Take about 6 kids, with ADHD issues, and reading issues, and then say, "Go ahead, do your best even though you read on a significantly lower level and by the way, I can't help you." What do you get when you add all that up? Frustrated kids, frustrated teacher, and a day of instructional time down the tubes. And, I'll be honest, those 6 didn't finish today, they get to have that fun experience again tomorrow, and Wednesday, and probably Thursday.

Don't hear me get all negative here...I get it. I need to be held accountable, and we need to test in order to figure out how to help these struggling students. I understand the logic.

It just makes me wonder. We want all kids on the same reading, writing, and math levels when they all come from less than ideal homes where education isn't exactly the focus in the home. I realize I'm throwing all kids into a stereotype, and that's not good. But, it is something to ponder.

I sat there today as a student looked at me and said, "Reading is hard for me. I can't do this." And, truth be told, it was too hard for him. It made it a rough day for me because deep down inside, I want to help. I want to make it easier. I understand their pain.

However, until we live in a society that understands what we're facing as educators, I will continue to do what I'm told. I won't agree with it, but I'll do it.