Most states are now in their standardized testing period. The No Child Left Behind Act mandates testing for kids under the heading of “Assessment and Accountability.” Math seems to be the general weak area for many kids. Suddenly kids are on edge because their parents and teachers are on edge. One starts seeing arguments and articles about why testing is good or why testing is bad. Points and counter-points are being thrown about. Those who favor tests say that a standard guide is needed to evaluate what the students have learned and what they have not learned. Those against testing claim that knowledge is not measured by some standardized test taken on one day out of the whole school year.

The argument works both ways and finding a common ground is easier said than done. It is like asking someone to compromise without ourselves giving an inch. A compromise is a two-way street. It is a give and take. Not just taking and definitely not just giving.

The counter-points for those who favor testing are many. How can a one-day test show what a child has learned the entire year? What about kids who have the knowledge but are poor test takers with little or no test taking skills? What if the child tests on a day when the child is not feeling well? The list goes on.

Similarly the counter-points for those who oppose testing are a handful. Without some form of testing, how can one judge what a child knows and where more work needs to go in when teaching the child? How does one measure the ability of a teacher to get his or her students up to par with what are the accepted grade appropriate standards of knowledge?

The proponents on both sides move further away from each other rather than moving closer to each other’s position while trying to come to a meeting of the minds. The harsh reality of the world is that there is no getting away from testing. Testing in some form or another is used in all aspects of all professions. A lawyer has to pass the bar, a doctor has to his exams, an athlete has to pass tests of his athletic skills, and so on. At some level everyone is being judged and whether via a formal test or some other form of test, it is immaterial. A judgement is being made about one’s knowledge, skill or talent.

This is life. Everyone is being measured at some level by someone. The sooner our kids learn to deal with it, the better prepared they will be to face life’s challenges and judgements. This is even more important now than ever as we are truly in a global world. The competition in math comes from China, India, Japan, and many other countries which focus on developing a strong basic math foundation. Math is an incremental subject where every topic forward requires a mastery of the previous one. If the foundation is lacking, the child is doomed to a lifetime of math struggles and faces the prospects of many doors closing in the child's professional pursuits.

Though our kids are getting used to math toys and educational toys, they continue to need math tutoring lessons to help them be prepared for tests. Test taking skills are developed by practice. Practice makes perfect and more practice makes more perfect. Despite all the hype about new ways of teaching, the tried and true methods almost always prove their longevity.



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