Standardized tests treat all children the same. Not all children are good at reading a prompt or short story and then writing a paragraph relevant to it, nor are all children good at looking at a diagram on paper and interrupting it to answer correctly. Students have no personal interest in these tests. Students taking a standardized test is meaningless. How can we expect them to be able to do their best when tests don't give them what they need to perform at their best? Plus, adults put so much pressure on students regarding standardized tests, which only makes things worse. If age permitting, I want my students to take a personality and interests test when they enter my class. All I can do is say, "Hey, you're special and you need to take your skills and your interests and run with them." Basing a learning environment on students' interests and skills sets them up for greater success. Spend time with stories, let them show and tell, listen to them, try new things, share stories from your life and connect everything you can to real life and outside of the school environment. Leaning on your students is key for them