Stressing over state testing
by Jaclyn Thompson, junior news editor
Starting from 3rd grade, students are required to take standardized state tests. These tests vary from regents to the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and the American College Test (ACT).
For the rest of elementary and middle school, students are tested in English and math every year, with an occasional science and social studies. Coming towards the end of the year, it becomes crunch time and students and teachers start reviewing for the tests.
“State testing is stupid because in my opinion it doesn’t justify how much you learned,” junior Rosie DiGioia said.
Teachers are given a set of standards to help their students meet those standards. Through lesson plans and tests, students are expected to understand a majority of topics when taking the state tests. Given the fact that these tests are being proposed to make up 50% of the school and teachers grades in a proposal by Governor Andrew Cuomo, teachers are going to be making sure that students are fully prepared before going into the test. The schools rating depends on these state tests.
“I think it will be challenging, its something you need to put effort in and do the best you can,” 6th grader Mikaela Fitterman said.
Students are prepared for this test all year, but for some students it still doesn’t get any easier. Students prep with tutors and classes, besides the class they are in, to get a better understand of the topics of the test.
“I’m kind of biased about state testing, I’m not against testing if you’re doing it for the right reasons but however I disagree with the way governors are trying to use testing,” history teacher Mr. Tesler said.
I agree with Rosie because the state tests do not help me with learning and it doesnt really show how much you learned, from taking the State Tests. When I took them it didnt help me much. Studying so much for a State Test and in the end it doesnt really help me, and I was even stressing about it because the teachers made such a huge deal with these tests, saying oh if you dont pass the test you will get a left back. So I agree because the test doesnt not justify how much you learn.
I agree with the author of this article because in my opinion, the state tests are nothing but leading children to a huge amount of stress, anxiety est. But on the other hand, it doesn’t teach children anything at all so it’s mostly pointless to even take it.