When Charlie Owens received this letter after taking a standardized test in Barrowford Primary School, no one expected the sixth grader’s letter to say this.
The headmistress, Rachel Tomlinson, sent the letter to each student to congratulate them on their hard work.
But more importantly, the letter acknowledged that there is so much about each student that the test could not measure.
Students are too often seen as just a number or a grade rather than as fully-fleshed human beings.
This isn’t the first time a teacher has done this; Mrs. Brown sent a similar letter praising her students talents outside of the classroom before they took the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness exam.
Part of the letter says:
“The people who create these tests and score them do not know each of you — the way our teachers do, the way I hope to, and certainly not the way your families do. They do not know that you can play a musical instrument or that you can dance or paint a picture. They do not know that your friends count on you to be there for them or that your laughter can brighten the dreariest day.”
See the full letter below, and SHARE if you’re glad some teachers see more than a test score when they look at children!
See the letter inspiring kids and parents everywhere!
"Please find enclosed your end of KS2 test results. We are very proud of you as you demonstrated huge amounts of commitment and tried your very best during this tricky week.
However, we are concerned that these tests do not always assess all of what is that make each of you special and unique.
The people who create these tests and score them do not know each of you — the way our teachers do, the way I hope to, and certainly not the way your families do. They do not know that you can play a musical instrument or that you can dance or paint a picture. They do not know that your friends count on you to be there for them or that your laughter can brighten the dreariest day.
They do not know that you write poetry or songs, play or participate in sports, wonder about the future, or that sometimes you take care of your little brother or sister after school. They do not know that you have travelled to a really neat place or that you know how to tell a great story or that you really love spending time with special family members and friends.
They do not know that you can be trustworthy, kind or thoughtful, and that you try, everyday, to be your very best… the scores you get will tell you something but they will not tell you everything.
So enjoy your results and be very proud of these but remember there are many ways of being smart."
SHARE if this made you smile!
