PSSSSTTTT

I don't believe in standardized testing.


I don't agree that a child's self-worth should be determined by how well she performs on a test. If it was a perfect world, my children would be loved and cherished and valued and given the same opportunities to go to college regardless of whether they chose the correct multiple choice answer based upon test designers who believe that children should think exactly like they do. Does God close the doors of his Kingdom when we fail every day to be perfect like his son or does he welcome us with open arms through every one of our shortcomings?


But it's not a perfect world. Therefore, last December, in spite of my vehement feelings towards testing, I asked my 13 year old to take the PSAT which was offered in our area under the UCI Academic Talent Search, even though she'd be compared to students at her grade level who had been identified as gifted and/or scored in the top ranges of their grade-level achievement test. She was neither of these.

In spite of the fact that we have done very little formal curriculum, she received a score of 174 out of 240 (an estimated SAT score of 1740 without the essay portion). I knew her math scores would be low as she wouldn't be starting geometry until next year, but I was pleased to see her scores in the other two categories.


And compared to sophomores nationwide who took this test:

she earned a better score than 72 out of every 100 students in math.

she earned a better score than 92 out of every 100 students in critical reading.

she earned a better score than 98 out of every 100 students in writing.

In 2006, the average PSAT score for high school juniors was 143. Last year, the average SAT score for graduating seniors was 1511.


God is faithful. When I am forced to submit to the world's ideals when it comes to helping my children carve a path for their future, He keeps his promises.

Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

Psalm 34:9-10