understanding

Usually, I look forward to days like today… I have only two classes to teach today, and they are both taking a test. I didn’t bring my laptop, so I’m limited to reading Everything and More. It’s pleasant, and I get a lot out of reading about math, but I’d really rather be working on math with students. I also worry that my kids are going to be tested to death. Just this week, they took the PSSS — a pre-pre-SAT test. Over their high school careers they must also pass the CAHSEE, take the STAR test for many of their classes, and then take the PSAT, SAT, and SAT II subject tests. On top of that, there are students registering for the ACT right now. And I haven’t even mentioned the normal quizzes, tests, and exams that students have to take for their actual classes. Someday, a future civilization is going to uncover a buried school from this time period and infer that it was a temple site dedicated to the ritual coloring-in of circles on paper.