Praxis effects

There have been many news articles and small-group discussions on the taking of the Praxis by teachers. They talk of the big ‘What if?’ What happens if they don’t pass, what happens if they do pass, etc. Anyone who has taken a test of any formal value can tell you there is a certain amount of anxiety attached to testing. Whether it’s waiting for the results of an HIV blood test or the results of expensive professional certification exams. Stress can harm both the body and mind in many individuals. The period of testing that teachers and administrators alike are going through for the Praxis is worthy of attention for the many teachers who are affected by the stress.

But teacher stress is not what I really want to write about. It’s about stress of a different kind, on a different group of people, our students. We are now seeing the emotional effects of the Praxis manifesting itself as the painful uncertainty by many students as to whether their teachers will be back next year—the same teachers who have helped them and guided them through adolescence and academia.

In a scenario repeatedly played out in local high schools, a student waits quietly until the class has left, then approaches the teacher with books clutched closely to the chest; the teacher looks up to see a sad face. The teacher stops what he or she is doing and asks the student, “What’s the matter?” The student responds with a simple question, in a whisper: “Sir, have you passed the Praxis? Are you going to be here next year?” The teacher then reassures the student without really revealing the answer to the question, the whole time knowing the student is experiencing anxiety.

The relationships established between teachers and students often form some of life’s lifelong bonds, brought about through caring and compassion in an emotional role play via the learning process. And now, seemingly for many students, that relationship is beginning to become uncertain. The uncertainty that your favorite teacher may not be back next year because they missed the Praxis, or received a less than passing score, or even because they will not be able work for daily substitute pay or a 10-percent pay cut and still manage the bills. There will be those teachers who fall into these categories and for them, life will go on. But for the student, they have to stay, and they will experience all the emotions involved in losing someone close to them. The denial, the anger, the grief, and often, rebellion against the unfairness of life. This can negatively impact the learning process and the school environment if it is not addressed.

There is a need to take a closer look at the Praxis effects and what is happening in our schools and our children. For teachers, counselors, administrators, talk to your students, find out what they’re feeling, explain what your plans are, and let your students know you’re going to be there for them. For parents, it’s the same, talk to your child, find out what they think, how they feel, share with them the experiences about life that you have learned. The full dynamics of the Praxis testing has yet to play out within the system and, although the word is that most teachers are taking and passing the test, there still lies uncertainty beneath the surface.

Craig Garrison
As Lito