My high school freshman, in his words, “has literally NOTHING to do at school this week” and “only one test to do” before school officially lets out mid-next week.
I know, I know – he’s probably only telling 50% of the story.
I am completely fine with the year winding down a bit early. But, having to drag these kids out of bed to sit on their phone for multiple mindless hours in a school lunchroom is become indefensible, annoying, and, frankly, something parents should not be dealing with.
I love the idea of less testing in our schools, just don’t like the concepts unintended consequence: bored kids, watching Reels while parents scramble to explain why they should each morning.
This idle students issue do not only seem to be a high school only issue – my elementary and middle schoolers have the similar complaints.
“Dad, we just sit there all day!”
“Mom, can we stay home – we’re not doing anything because test are over.”
“What’s the point of going to school if you already have good grades, Dad?”
My answers have ranged from the need to socialize, to the idea that my kids should embrace this downtime, to the fact that all of us have to show up at times even if our work temporary sags.
Mostly, though, I’m making up excuses to try to get to work while my kids are in a structured, supervised environment that limits cell phone usage. I need to go to work, they need to go to school – it is that simple.
My growing frustration has led me to ask my teens, in particular, about why this is happening across.
Their answers boil down to two reasons:
Reason #1: Administration of Tests for Other Students
My non-elementary kids are reporting that teachers are having to act as proctors for exams given to other students, therefore making it impossible to them to teach to their regular classes. For example, if the Psychology teacher has to help out with the standardized test in English, the Psych books are closed and the students are sent to study hall of left to their own devices (pun intended).
Reason #2: Out of Curriculum for the School Year
For those courses with their regular teacher still available, I’m hearing that all school materials have been taught so now it is time for (“boring”) movies or catching up on anything missed. If your kids has done their job to date, they sit and do nothing (ie: except texting their dads are work begging to be excused for the day).
If your kid has lagged behind, they can attempt to catch up during the idle time if the teacher allows. Note: both of my high schoolers tell me that grades are already decided for the year (which does not bode well from the one pulling a “C” in Biology:(). I believe this to be true, at least in part – my son taking Driver’s Ed passed his test 1.5 weeks ago has done nothing since. I feel like his driving skills are something between sufficient and inexperienced.
What are parents to do?
My first answer is that kids have to stay in school – and not because most of us have to work. The act of attending school through the entire year has to take priority to the ensuing boredom the last few weeks create. That said, I wouldn’t blame any parent for calling it a year if their child is doing well.
Next, while I’m in favor of less testing for kids, if it is true (and, please consider my sources) that non-testers are rotting in study hall or dazing at a phone endlessly, this must change. Can we use substitute teachers, administrations, or community volunteers for exam administration? We have to find options that allow teachers to stay in their classrooms during standardized testing weeks.
Lastly, teachers have to be able (and encouraged to) expand the curriculum during these down times. I see my elementary schoolers finding these days “fun” while my high schoolers seeing these as “a total waste.”
That gap has to close – even if not through materials that would lend themselves meaningful for the remaining days in class.
I understand that everyone – kids and teachers – are exhausted.
I am okay with “calling off the dogs” as the school year sputters to its end.
I’m completely fine with my son’s Psych class watching “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.”
These lazy school days have me tired – of fighting to wake my teens up, of telling them that spending time in the school building still has value, and of my younger kids hearing their older siblings tell me that the month of May is a “waste of time” repeatedly (and them starting to believe it).
The lack of testing is great.
The lack of anything in its place is making me testy.
