This April in Auburn, 10-12 graders take state tests that’s meant to measure learning across Washington. But students report stress, teachers lose class time, and parents question the results. Inflight interviewed students and teachers about the state testing and if it’s worth the pressure or time.
Kristy Miller had students test in her class and had to keep watch from students from cheating or wasting their time by just sitting there out of space.
Testing is not only for the state to see where students are at, or know what students already know or don’t know, it’s about how future students who would want to graduate high school would need it because it’s required for graduation.
“I just make sure I’ve covered all the time standards I know they will be tested on for ELA”
Dr. Miller, prepares her students before the state test helping the students’ brain to not just stop thinking automatically.
“The SBA for Math and ELA are required, but there are pathways for students with other testing options.” Dr. Miller has said
Because of this students would have to take testing days seriously because otherwise they would have to take it again the upcoming school years until having a passing score.
“I have to modify my lesson plans for those days, but it impacts what I can do on testing days because kids are mentally exhausted.” Dr. Miller has said
This explains how teachers get exhausted and have to extend or cancel lesson plans because testing takes up both students and teachers time on learning what was scheduled.
Dr. Miller has also stated “I think it’s beneficial to see where students are at.” The school has no control of students taking the state test but It would be good if students have small snack breaks to clear their mind and get their head back together when testing. Instead students are being mentally exhausted.
Sophomore Leila Richstad felt motivated about taking the state test. She has stated that, ‘I will try my best to improve from my last score.” she said in April before state testing
Leila doesn’t really mind taking the state testing but it’s not her favorite because of how it takes up her time during the school days.
Junior Kayla Valle doesn’t feel motivated on taking the state testing because of how testing was never her thing, especially testing about math.
“I think the state test is too much, I get bored and just don’t have the motivation to even start or end it.” Kayla said.
Kayla gets scared because she heard from other students that its really hard and boring to do.
“I do get a bit nervous and I also need to pass the state test to be able to graduate, I’m willing to give it my all’ Kayla stated.
Sophomore Madalyn Farwell believes that testing is not very exciting to do.
“I think it’s very annoying that we have to take it when it’s not something colleges look at like SAT, and it’s just really draining for that long.” Madalyn said
Mady would study for a little while but she feels really confident in herself and not much worried about it. She doesn’t really consider testing that serious because of how colleges don’t look at it.
Sophomore Deryk Van Daele doesn’t feel motivated but feels nerve-racking, having to worry about having to get a perfect score to not take it in her junior or senior year.
Deryk states, “ I think state testing sucks. I don’t think it’s the best way to go about testing someone’s abilities and overall I think it just causes more stress among students and their mental health.”
Deryk is willing to try her best on the test knowing that she would need to pass it to graduate in the next 2 years.
“ I’m nervous about what I’m going to get because it really lays out my future and it’s kind of a test for you to be ready”.Deryk said
She has also stated “I just have to really trust myself and know what I’m going to do and I think that others should tell themselves to trust and believe that they can pass if they really try or make the most out of it.”
