Testing. Testing. 1-2-3-4

What do running and EOGs (end-of-grade tests) have in common?

It turns out, quite a lot.

Today, we received the EOG test scores for our 9 year old son.  This is an huge high stakes test that is required in our great state, for all students in grades 3+. 

We are blessed enough to attend a school that does not put year-round emphasis on the test.  Instead, we follow the Common Core, but teach organically, and differentiate.  Learning, at our school, is honestly fun (according to the students, not just me!).  We do not teach to the test.

Last school year, my 9 year old was in 3rd grade, so it was his first year with the EOG test.  I have to be honest here - I have been worried about my son taking this test for the past three years.  He is very smart, but behaviorally challenging. 

In an attempt to not ramble on too much - I will cut to the chase.

My son took the test this past Spring.  We received the results today.  It has been forewarned, in ever increasing email posts and newspaper articles that the scores have plummeted across the state - due to a new test, new standards, new guidelines for passing.

According to the results my son would have "failed". 

Is it ridiculous that I was so happy when I saw his results, I was almost giddy?  No, I do not want my child to "fail", or as the state so kindly put it at his level he only has, "partial command" of the material.

In struggling with my reaction to my son's results - I found myself thinking about my most recent Half Marathon from this past weekend (see previous post).  I managed to pull off a Sub-2 time for the 13.1 mile race.  This is an huge achievement, and has been a goal of mine, since I started running half marathons over a year ago.

OVER A YEAR AGO.

When I ran my first half marathon, in March of 2012 - my goal was to just finish the race.  Seriously.  I had never run a half marathon.  It was a new experience, and while I can read all about it, and do my practice run, I still wasn't sure what to expect, and I didn't want to be unrealistic.  It was the NC Half Marathon at the Motor Speedway (where Nascar races).  I completed the race in 2 hours and 18 minutes, and I was thrilled.  I did it! 

This was my goal for my 9 year old son.  Leading up to the EOGs, all I hoped was that he would even sit and complete the test.  As I've posted before, he has "issues" - mainly behavioral.  I truly wasn't sure that he would sit for the 2+ hours to complete one test.  When he gets upset or frustrated, it can often snowball into a meltdown.  What if he got one reading passage into the test, and got anxious or upset, or frustrated or discouraged, or even just bored?  What if he just dug in his heels about not wanting to take the test, and just would not read or solve problems?  What if he spelled out inappropriate words with the bubble dots?  - It was a possibility. 

So, heading into the EOGs, we decided that we really just wanted him to, 1)  read carefully, 2) complete the test, and 3) use at least 2-3 strategies taught by his teachers.  Really, those were our goals - and afterwards, I learned that he did all three.  We celebrated.

Now, six months later, we were notified the test results were in the mail.

As I mentioned earlier, my son did not pass the EOGs. 
Still, I am thrilled.

He achieved his goals.  He finished the race.

I've since run six more half marathons.  My second one was my worst time, 2 hours and 20 minutes.  But I've continued to work on my running, nutrition, gear, and most recently mental attitude.  It also takes a "team" to succeed.  I've got a great running support group, amazing running friends, a Fitness Guru, and a Bootcamp Instructor Extraordinaire. 

I've got a supportive and positive husband and understanding children.

During races, there are amazing volunteers, water stops, cheerleaders, event staff, and community support.

My Sub-2 was not achieved without all of the above.

My son will have to take this test again. . .and again. . .and again.  There will be ones where his score is worse than the previous one, and hopefully, more often than not, steady gains.  While my 2nd half marathon was my longest time, all the following times have decreased.  For my 3rd half marathon (Run the Green - 2 hours 15 minutes.  My 4th half marathon was Ramblin Rose at 2 hours 13 minutes.  The 5th half marathon was Rock N Roll DC at 2 hours 10 minutes.  And, this past June, my 6th half marathon was the Charity Chase at 2 hours 6 minutes. 

We are so lucky that our boys have an amazing "team" to help them.  The teachers, administrators, EC support, amazing classmates - parents, grandparents, brother. . .They are both surrounded by support to help them not just finish the race, but succeed in the race.

And like running, it might not be the first race (clearly), and it might not be the second race - but I know, with such a great team, and proper training, they will be fine.   Because none of us is defined by the numbers in our lives.  I am not a Sub-2, and my son is not a "failure". 

We have succeeded in completing the races, and as long as we strive to improve - we are successful.