This time last year I began suffering through a series of health issues mainly caused by the stress of how well or poorly my language arts students would do on the EOG (End of Grade) test. The stress typically kicks into gear upon return from spring break each April, and last until the EOG’s are finalized near the end of May. It is around this time I begin to constantly second guess what I’ve taught, and how well I’ve taught, throughout the school year. This year I have a particularly low achieving academic language arts class which has my nerves on edge even worse than last year.
All of this stress to students and teachers alike comes as a result of the No Child Left Behind law passed during W’s administration. I have yet to find a teacher that supports the aspects of that bill that have to do with the mandatory testing. This time of year also brings warmer weather and students anxious to get out of school for summer. In the teaching business we refer to the increase in student misbehaviors during this time of the year as ‘spring fever’. Unfortunately, the only cure for this fever is the last day of school. In addition, I have found that this is the time of year when bad things happen to good students. There are very few students that have the ability to resist the fever. Teachers are scrambling to provide students with any last minute testing preparations, while at the same time trying to keep their students under control long enough to be successful on the test.
Any suggestions from fellow educators, or anyone, for that matter on ways to relieve this end of year recipe for disaster, please let me know.
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