Consequences for Individual Students

It is essential that parents understand how their school will use test scores, particularly if the test results will be used to make significant decisions such as promotion or graduation. When such important decisions are primarily based on single events such as the state test, it is realistic to expect a high level of anxiety on the part of students regarding their performance. In extreme situations this anxiety can actually prevent students from demonstrating what they have learned and can directly lead to failure or stress-related illnesses. Over time, repeated stress over test performance or fear of failure (fear of retention or failure to graduate) can lead to school refusal, truancy, chronic health problems such as depression or headaches or ulcers, and generally create a very negative learning environment.

What can parents do in such situations?

First, find out how test results will be used with individual children. If it seems that undue emphasis is placed on single factors such as the results of state tests to make significant decisions, discuss concerns with your PTA or parent advisory groups—often there is plenty of opportunity to provide input into school policies involving such decisions. Identify experts in both the school system and community who have special knowledge about testing and student achievement, as well as the role of testing on student performance and mental health. Work with your school administration to be sure that factors other than test scores are used to make these big decisions about students. Preventing a solitary focus on test results is the best way to assure that students have a healthy attitude toward testing—and that will help ensure optimal performance when tests are given and optimal learning throughout the school year.

Coming next month: How you can work with your child's school to ensure the best outcomes under NCLB.

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