Tired today. Not much to say. Must be Monday.

Been thinking too much about test scores as they trickle in. And even though “I don’t care,” I find that I do, especially for my kids who missed the mark this time. There will be a next time, for they are only sophomores, and they’ll have other opportunities to pass in the next two years, and the vast majority will, but it’s the now that worries me.

For a few, it will be a sober reminder that they will have to do more than rush through the motions. For some, it will be another “defeat” as they have yet to climb Mt. Standardization in their annual attempts in years and grades now past. And for others, it will serve as another reason for their disenfranchised resentment of the public school system.

In truth, we are talking but a small number, most of my kids have and will pass as the rest of the scores come in, but even so there are the few for whom I am sorry as they will have to continue playing the game.

Interestingly, it seems the “game” may soon change. In Washington State, it looks as if the SBA results will be de-linked from being a graduation requirement. Not sure what this will mean ultimately, but I am hopeful that it is a step in the right direction for devaluing standardized test scores as the measure of “success.” We’ll see. For now, I will just try to help my kids put things into perspective as we make our way through the rest of our soon-to-be over journey.

And, that’s all I have on this Monday.

Today’s Trail

Along today’s trail we will experience…

…reconnecting through Smiles and Frowns.

…growing as writers as we add another piece to our “This Is Me” projects.

…reflecting in our Journey Journals.

…hearing a Sappy Sy Rhyme.

Happy Monday, all.

Do. Reflect. Do Better.