Tests, Tests, Tests…

I just realized I never did mention our weekend activities here. Back in February, Jason qualified to participate in the TMSCA State Science Competition. Basically, the math & science teams from across the state have competitions that involve tests, and if you have a qualifying score, you get to go to State. So Friday morning at 6:00 am we headed up to the local middle school to get on the bus with 23 students and their parents and headed off to San Antonio.

On the way, we stopped in Schullenberg, Texas at a local bakery. They were ready and waiting for us (one of the parents had made arrangements earlier in the week) and had posters up, welcoming us and encouraging the kids to do well at State. It was really cool – the kids immediately saw the signs as we pulled up, and we got to take them with us when we left. I also got to take something very special with me when I left – my crown on the bottom right side of my mouth came off as I ate a kolache, so I got to take it with me in a little to-go container! I put lots of tape on top so I wouldn’t lose it, and I go in to see the dentist tomorrow morning to have it put back on. It has made eating such fun.

Friday afternoon was spent at SeaWorld, as you might have noticed from the Flickr photos in the sidebar. Afterwards, we went to the hotel to check in, clean up, and head out to dinner. Then it was back to the hotel so the kids could do practice tests before heading to bed. Saturday morning we were up and out the door at 7:30 to head over to UTSA for the kids to take their tests. We were there until almost 5:00, but I had my knitting with me so it wasn’t that bad. Jason didn’t place in the top 20 for Science, but he had a good time. I’m just glad that he qualified! I knew he was smart, but it is always nice to see him recognized for it.

Today is the Math portion of the TAKS test for 7th & 8th graders here in Texas; tomorrow, they will be taking the Language Arts portion. In honor of the test, I had to snag this from Stargazer:

No Child Left Behind – The Football Version

1. All teams must make the state playoffs, and all will win the championship. If a team does not win the championship, they will be on probation until they are the champions, and coaches will be held accountable.

2. All kids will be expected to have the same football skills at the same time and in the same conditions. No exceptions will be made for interest in football, a desire to perform athletically, or genetic abilities or disabilities. ALL KIDS WILL PLAY FOOTBALL AT A PROFICIENT LEVEL.

3. Talented players will be asked to work out on their own without instruction. This is because the coaches will be using all their instructional time with the athletes who aren’t interested in
football, have limited athletic ability, or whose parents don’t like football.

4. Games will be played year round, but statistics will only be kept in the 4th, 8th and 11th games.

5. This will create a New Age of sports where every school is expected to have the same level of talent and all teams will reach the same minimal goals. If no child gets ahead, then no child will be left behind.