High Stake Assessments & Anxiety

The Florida Standards Assessment is approaching and anxiety about the test is rampant. You cannot go online without seeing something about PARCC, FSA or other standardized tests.

This week I have read two articles on how people are dealing with their worries regarding the test.

One blogger is choosing to opt out their child from the test by instructing the child to sign in and sign out without completing the exam. This is the only lawful way to opt out in Florida since the state regulations are clear that children need to participate in the exam.
Another view was published by a Today show contributor. This lady encourages her children to take the test and to see it as an everyday kind of event and an opportunity to show how much they know.

Both opposing views are valid. I admire the blogger position in stating that she knows what is best for her child. In addition, I  especially  like how one mom encourages her kids by saying "anxiety and tests" are part of life, make the best of it. Research does indicate that if we face our anxieties we do better. If we retreat and allow our fears to paralyze us we are in a prison of our own making.

Here are the two articles:

Blogger opting out of State Standards
Today show contributor