An open letter to students receiving standardized test scores

look out to the horizon; the world is full of possibilities

Previously, I published excerpts from a letter that a friend shared with me. She said that a principal sent it home to the students. Here is the link to that post https://aceitnow.wordpress.com/2013/10/06/test-scores-whats-really-important/

In recent feedback, I was told that the letter made its way to England, and had become a bit of a sensation. They wondered who the originator was. Another person commented that the letter had been ripped off from another source.
Well, guess what? The originator of the letter contacted me. She emailed me the letter that she had published in a local newspaper in Massachusetts. That newspaper is called http://www.thereminder.com/

In her email to me, she said that she was thrilled that her letter had spread all the way to England. She added that she is sorry that there is still a need for such a reminder.She forwarded a copy of the letter to the editor that she wrote, and was published in the December 20-26, 1999 issue. Her name is Mary Ginley, and she was the 1998 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year. With her constant belief in students, it is no wonder that she was named teacher of the year.

I add, at the beginning of another school year that not only do students need the reminder, but each of us need the reminder as well. If you would like to follow Mary’s blog, here is the link to it. maryginley.wordpress.com

This link TeacherLetterAboutTestScores shows a copy of the actual letter from the newspaper. But in the event that you have trouble with that print size, I have transcribed the letter below.

I add, at the beginning of another school year that not only do students need the reminder, but each of us need the reminder as well. If you would like to follow Mary’s blog, here is the link to it.

“An open letter to students receiving MCAS scores

Dear Students,

You have received MCAS scores. Perhaps they were very good. Perhaps they were not.

Please remember strangers gave you these scores. And remember that there are many ways of being smart.

These strangers do not know that you can play the violin or dance or paint a picture. They do not know that you take care of your little brother after school, that your friends can count on you, that your laughter can brighten the dreariest days.

They do not know that you write poetry, wonder about black holes, and know exactly how much change you should get when you go to the market.

They do not know that you built a shed with your mom and dad, grew vegetables in a garden last summer. They never saw the social studies project you did last year. They do not know you are trustworthy, that you are kind, that you are thoughtful, that you care about what happens to old people.

They do not know you at all. But we who know you — your moms and dads, your grandparents and teachers, your neighbors and friends — love you and are proud of all you are.

The MCAS will tell you something but they will not tell you everything. Houw could they? The scorers don’t know you. And there are many ways of being smart.

Mary Ginley
1998 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year “