A standard for whom?

Once again, its time for that bane of my instructional existence - the state standardized tests! In my particular case, it happens to be the the 6th grade NJ ASK Test. I have the honor of proctoring this paragon of educational assessment for my special education resource students; this typically tends to be an experience that is not easily forgotten. Maybe its the "deer in headlights" look on many of my students' faces during testing, the brief annual appearance of my OCD tendency to look at the classroom clock about 500 times in a 10 minute span while proctoring, or simply perhaps the outright disrespect of each student's IEP accommodations during the period known as "testing" that always gets me in a Leonard Cohen-like mood. Whatever it is, I think given the choice, I would rather spend these hours working on a Georgia chain gang instead of being a willing accomplice to this travesty of educational justice. But one again, I will compromise my educational ideals and practices for a week in order to stay on my district's good side and keep those checks coming. In a scripted system full of hypocrisy, I am playing out my supporting role to the very end, watching my kids (pawns) get sacrificed to the deities named State Standards. Thank God for Happy Hour, the salve for my conscience!