We started CMAS (Colorado Measure of Academic Success) testing this week. (Even the name is stress inducing) I've always hated standardized testing: as a student, as an educator, and now as a parent. While I understand the need for standardized tests, the stress and emotional strain they put on kids is ridiculous. Middle Bubs broke down at the bus stop before school his first testing day over the consequences of failing his tests, then had a breakdown at school each testing day. And while I was not supposed to be proctoring any tests, I ended up testing one on one with a poor 6th grade girl who had a breakdown at school yesterday on her first testing day. I have never put any pressure on any of my kids, my own or my students, about passing these tests. All they need to do is try, hopefully their best. And it's totally fine if they don't know or get a "wrong" answer. If they try to work it out and can't, a guess is better than nothing. Too much rides on these tests for schools, cities, states, and yes students sometimes (our results determine class placements for the upcoming school year) and that's not what these tests should do. And besides, there are no standardized children. 📝📝📝📝📝 #cmas #cmastesting #statetesting #standardizedtesting #therearenostandardizedchildren #spedparalife #spedpara #spedparaprofessional #ELLpara #ELLparaprofessional #ELLparalife #boymom #boymomx3 #boymomlife #autismmom #specialneedsparentrunbusiness #alamosacolorado #sanluisvalleycolorado #threesudsybubs (at Alamosa, Colorado) https://www.instagram.com/three_sudsy_bubs/p/BwExwxggnOn/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1qcefe7adsau9