A'List

So Caroline has iLEAP coming up. It is the Louisiana state standardized testing for 3rd graders. And the teachers here make it seem like if you do not pass, then you will never get into college, you will never have a career and you may as well start at McDonald's now... It is ridiculous the pressure they put on the children here. I have actually had a talk with her teacher about it. And have made complaints to the principal about the inordinant amount of emphasis they put on passing this test. The thing is, if you don't pass, you still go on to 4th grade, you just don't get to take French. Whatever. It is so stupid. I don't think standardized testing is good to begin with. And all of this is to accomidate the whole "No child left behind" crap... Anyway, Caroline freaks out about everything as it is. SHe came home without her English book one night and was in hysterics. I told her to call her friend and get the questions from her. Before the call had been made she had given me an entire scenario about what if the girl did NOT have the book either and Miss Robinson got mad at both of them and their lives would be over. Then when she got her report card, she was devastated. Crying, weaping, wailing, because she had gotten a "B" in math. That meant she was not on the Principal's list... she was only on the honor roll. How was she ever going to get into a good college with grades like these???? I wanted to tell her that no matter what her grades are, she will be going to the college that her father teaches at because it will be free, so don't sweat it. But I didn't. I just comforted her and told her that everything would be ok and she could get on the principal's list next semester. Where did my child get this from? Justin and I have NEVER pressured our kids about grades! We have always said that they need to do their best and we would know when they are doing their best. Even if their best is not an "A" or a "B". Crazy kid.