Opinion: Because it’s June

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There it is. The sound that comes after the state’s standardized testing is over in the schools, especially elementary and middle. It’s a collective sigh of relaxation, and a party whoop, because the fun is about to start.

Standardized testing hasn’t solely changed much of teaching. It’s also changed the classroom calendar. Before the tests, teachers and students are hard at work mastering material that will be on the tests. Afterward, teachers gleefully fling off the shackles of state curriculum and begin the era of freedom.

The kids are doing more art projects, or learning history by dressing up in period clothes and having a party with authentic food. It’s not that learning ceases entirely--well, in some cases it does--but it’s certainly not in hyperdrive.

The raise-achievement authoritarian in me says, all those moments of school are previous learning opportunities. The get-real demon responds that teachers and students barely have a creative moment in class these days. Less dress-up and acting out plays, less music, less poetry. Student does not live by math alone.