Poetic Musings on the EOG (End-of-grade test)

The Test

Testing anxiety rises as magma~
Threatening to burst forth
In uncontrolled torrents
As the lava of tears,
Temper tantrums, unexpected bathroom
Emergencies, apathy, anger, fear, and frustration.

As test administrator, I find myself
Anxious, worried, frustrated, bored, and tired.
And then I stop to think~
To be 8 or 10 or 11
And have this stress hanging over my head
Like the operatic chandilier. . .
Waiting to fall~
To crush me -- body and soul
To crush my dreams,
My hope, my self esteem
For the sake of numbers.

That count what?
Hours teachers spent planning interesting lessons?
Tears teachers shed for students in her care?
Ballgames and recitals attended
To build relationships?
Extra hours -- after school, before school, on weekends, and during summers?
Dollars spent on materials, incentives, rewards, and ideas?
Moments that made us laugh or cry or get so angry we weren't sure what to do?
Pieces of chalk, dry erase markers, pencils, markers and paints that were used to help his students understand?
Books, read with fluency and expression to students hungry for a good model?
Math manipulatives used to show students the how and the why?
Field trips planned to give students real-life knowledge and experiences they might not otherwise have?

Or does the test count
Internet sites parents have visited to help their child with fractions?
Moments in the car calling spelling words, math facts, and reviewing for tests?
Privileges taken for bad tests or poor school behavior or homework not done?
Hugs given on the day of a test or a presentation or an awards ceremony?
Tears of frustration because they don't know how to help their child?
Magnetic letters and numbers bought to help their children with spelling and math?
Dollars spent for science project supplies, play costumes, musical instruments, pencils, crayons and markers?
Books bought so their children would love to read?
Prayers breathed on knees, in cars, in bed, in the car -- morning, noon, and night?
Hours of help with homework, projects and presentations?

Or perhaps the test measures. . .
The teachers who leave as the bell rings~ with nothing but their purse on their arm?
Moments of instructional time wasted?
Announcements over the Intercom that interrupt learning?
Teachers-- professionals -- who lie, cheat, and steal ----for the sake of the numbers?
Nervous breakdowns because of the stress and heavy workload?
Mountains of paperwork that document our "accountability"?
The number of retired teachers who came back -- and shouldn't?
The number of teachers who enter the classroom, and shouldn't?
The excellent teachers who go home early~because of the test?

Or does the test count. . . .
The number of children who have children?
Parents with no parenting skills?
Mamas and daddies who think baseball practice is more important than school?
Video games played before homework is done?
Privileges allowed that should be taken?
Minutes in class spent daydreaming?
The number of books in the home?
The small amount of time parents spend talking with their children?
The number of meals families eat together?
How many children split their time between parents who cannot stand each other?
The number of their friends involved in gangs?
The bruises sustained from abuse?
The number of words spoken in anger?
Parent-teacher conferences not attended?
Projects not completed?
Nights with only a few hours of sleep because parents (or neighbors) are yelling?
Unsafe homes?
Drug dealers?

Or maybe, just maybe this test
Measures ABSOLUTELY
POSITIVELY
NOTHING, . . . .except
The EGO of the politicians and
The PURSE of the publishers. . . . .