Amazing fourth grader speaks out against standardized testing

Caroline Siede 7:32 am Thu Apr 16, 2015

A remarkably brilliant young lady, Sydney Smoot, stood in front of the Hernando County School Board to speak out against The Florida Standards Assessment Test and standardized testing in general.

Though adults spend a lot talking in circles about these issues, 9-year-old Sydney makes a brilliantly straightforward argument: “This test looks at me as a number. One test defines me either a failure or a success through a numbered rubric… It doesn’t take an account of all my knowledge and abilities, just a small percentage.”

Sydney lays out a plan for year-round testing that actually measures students’ abilities and allows teachers to adjust their lesson plans according to the needs of their classes. She wraps up her impassioned speech by saying:

Ladies and gentlemen of the school board, I urge you to put a STOP to high-stakes testing today. It is not good for the schools, teachers, and students. Parents and students, contact your governor and put a stop to all the standardized testing. Thank you so much for your time.

She's basically a real-life Hermione Granger, and I wouldn't be surprised if she changes the world one day.

[h/t Buzzfeed]

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