A recent article in a teachers' edition of Scholastic Magazine stated that according to the Teachers College at New York's Columbia University, American students may be the most tested kids in the world, taking more than 100 million standardized tests every year.
And in these weeks before spring break in schools around the country, testing season has begun. I remember well the strategies schools asked parents to follow over the years -- hearty breakfasts, good nights' sleep, bananas for potassium, and plenty of protein snacks for brain power.
With our older kids taking the SATs and ACTs for college entry, I guess the earlier our students adapt to this testing regimen the better. But there were some important life-long reminders in that Scholastic article, that parents everywhere might take note of...
Parents, be sure you're in the know about what test will be given and when -- and try not to spread parental test-taking anxiety on to your kids. And remember the the year-long, life-long parenting wisdom that parents have control over: school attendance, varied reading materials at home, and regulated television watching -- not just during test taking time!
