skip to content

This Mom, Other Moms, Shining Stars and State Testing

90EBB061-9BEA-4A63-AE11-7C21EA5B88D3

“Mom, can you opt us out of the state testing?”

“Why?”

“Because some other moms are doing that.”

“Maybe they have a good reason.”

“Can you find a good reason?”

“I can’t, actually.”

“I wish you could.”

“I’m sorry to tell you, you didn’t get that mom.”

“It’s a dumb test, Mom. It doesn’t even test our abilities. It’s testing the school’s effectiveness.”

“Then this is one way you can thank all of the teachers who’ve taught you so much. By doing your best.”

“Even if it’s not about me?”

“Yes. Maybe especially then.”

(Groan.)

“Here’s what I want you to know, buddy. This test? Doesn’t matter to me one bit. It won’t tell me anything about you that I don’t already know, and it definitely won’t show how smart you are. Using one test to tell how smart you are is like trying to measure the light of one star from what we see from our driveway. There’s just no way to measure how brightly it can really shine. This test is like that. But you doing your best? That matters to me a lot. Always will.”

(Silence. He’s still willing me to change my mind.)

“The thing is, buddy, I’m doing you a favor. Someday down the road, there will be a test you’ll have to take, and there will be no option to get out of it or around it. Other kids won’t know how to do it, but you’ll be able to look back on today and think of it as good practice.”

“So I’m taking the test.”

“You are.”

 

Tricia Lott Williford

Comments are closed

  1. Stephanie Pomponio says:

    You’re a better Mom than me – hands down, Tricia!

978-1-64158-280-3

You Are Safe Now

Available April 9, 2024
ThisBookIsForYou

This Book Is for You

Now Available
A book about falling in love with the Bible
Just-You-Wait-COVER-resized2

Just. You. Wait.

Now Available
#1 New Title on Amazon in Christian Inspiration
YouCanDoThis

You Can Do This

Now Available
#1 New Title on Amazon in Women's Issues!
LetsPretendWereNormal

Let's Pretend We're Normal

Now Available
#1 Bestseller on Amazon in Single Parenting
And_Life_Comes_Back

And Life Comes Back

Now Available
#1 in Denver Post: Nonfiction Paperback and Finalist for 2015 Christian Book Award
© 2015-2024 Tricia Lott Williford. All Rights Reserved. Site by Concept To Web.