No Second Chances

Once again, we are entering our high stakes testing season. We have given it our all. We have practiced and worked and prepared for the time that is now upon us. According to the federal government, all of our writing efforts for the year come down to how our 47 grade students preform on the writing test they took yesterday and today.
One thing that is so unfair about standardized testing is all of the external factors that effect how a student will preform. In the weeks leading up to the test, we have to do everything we can to ensure that all 47 of our students come to school this week happy, well rested, and well fed.
This was the day - no second chances. Never mind that Jorge might write a better story on a day he has not just had a tooth pulled. No one factors in that Jessie is still upset about an argument on the playground. When they go to look at the success of our school, all the see is a number on a page. They don't have any idea about the real life that happens while those numbers are being produced.
Teachers know - I just head about a friend today that had to pull his car over twice on the way to school to throw up but drug himself into school anyway because it was the day of the state writing test. He knows the potential his absence poses for dramatically lower scores.
Students and teacher alike really do work way too hard for it to have to come down to a single chance.

Wait Time

I remember learning about "wait time" in college. The idea that as a teacher, you need to allow a little time after you ask a question before calling on someone. Give the slower things time to process the question.
I experienced a whole new kind of wait time today. The students all started their state writing tests today. As a staff, we selectively put every student into the small group we thought the would preform best in. One of my writing students still struggles a lot with his writing. He has been working super hard in the weeks leading up to the test but I still opted to have him test alone since his behavior can sometimes be disruptive.
We did a lot to hype the kids up for the test and this one totally bought into it. He was totally psyched to take the test. Or so I thought. I went to get him for the test, sat him down and read him the directions. He then looked at me and said "no" - and flatly refused to write.
What to do as a teacher... I cannot force him to write. But the stakes are way to high to let him not write. So I did the only thing I could - wait time. It took a lot of wait time (an hour and 43 minutes to be exact). And a visit from the principal. And some "smart mints"... and 2 pep talks from other school staff that happened by. And finally... he began to write.
It wasn't a great story - but he did do his best, which is all we can ask for. While I loved my college experience, most of the tools and strategies I need for success in my job, I learned in my own classroom. But today, I was glad to hearken back to a strategy I had been taught in college.