If It Ain’t Broke

I’ve noticed that the older we get, the more content we get with this idea that because we’ve gone through life and suffered a certain way means that the next generation needs to follow suit. 

“I had to push through it, so they have to march forward too.” 

There’s a fault in this “pick yourself up by your bootstraps” method though. Because here’s the thing, just because it’s what’s always been done, doesn’t make it right. 

You can find a fault in just about every system you look at and maybe if it isn’t a fault, you might find a better way to do something. Either way, as the world grows and changes, we shouldn’t be content with just following the norms because “that’s how we did it in my day.” 

We should be actively striving to better ourselves and the world around us constantly, and that means doing the uncomfortable and making a change. Let me digress.

Standardized tests, for example, a system of testing we rely heavily on in the American school system. Time and again, it’s been proven that these tests don’t hold much value when observing information learned rather than information memorized for the purpose of regurgitation. 

To be honest, I couldn’t even begin to tell you any information I learned for these tests. I don’t remember. 

But what I do remember is anxiety.

This unbelievable pressure sitting on my chest as I took tests that would determine if I was worthy enough in the eyes of certain collegiate institutions to earn a place at their table. Or the pressure of not being able to move on to the next grade. 

My sister is going through this right now. She’s only 9.

The other day, we had a conversation in the car about her teacher and she said, “If I had to do third grade all over again, I would not want her as my teacher.”

To which I replied, “Well, good thing you’re almost out of third grade.”

And she said, “Yeah but that’s only if I pass the test.”

In her eyes, she was looking at the reality of her situation. My sister is one smart cookie, especially with math and science. But she struggles, with reading. 

Now, what’s the biggest factor you have to take into account when taking these tests? That’s right. Reading.

Baley can do calculations in her head that I couldn’t even dream of but her limitations in reading and severe test anxiety (as any 9-year-old would have) could cause her to repeat an entire school year.

I’ve had my fair share of struggles with tests but as I’ve gotten older I’ve realized what little value these tests hold. Baley’s ability to be a competent student does not lie in her ability to read and answer questions quickly. 

She has a big beautiful brain that deserves more attention and care than most school systems centered around this archaic idea of memorization and regurgitation offer. Every child deserves this. 

Every child deserves, to be lifted up by their strengths and not torn down by their weaknesses. That’s how we learn and grow.

Of course, there are struggles students will naturally go through but I don’t believe standardized tests in this particular case need to be apart of that.

These children are our future, but what good can they do if their confidence is shattered by a system that is intended to help foster their growth. And I know for a fact, that I’m not the only one in my age group that suffers from a lack of confidence in one’s self.  

We’ve already done a number on our generations. So, let’s disregard the “bootstraps” and the “carrying on as we did before” and let’s help our young people stand up.

Maybe we don’t succeed in getting rid of these standardized tests overnight—why the government doesn’t individually seek out my opinion I’ll never know—but we can try and assist as best we can with other, not so obvious, tests.

Standardized testing is a very arbitrary example of this concept but, regardless, we all have our own tests we go through. Sometimes, we do have to push through and in others, we have to recognize that maybe pushing through isn’t an end-all-be-all solution.

So, next time I’m confronted with a tricky situation, I think I’m going to try something a little different. Marching forward when necessary and pushing for change when I can.

My answer may not be for everybody but sometimes these random thoughts make difference, so I thought I’d write them down for you.

Because, “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it,” well stuff’s broken, so let’s fix it.