Amanda Evans knows today’s testing culture creates stressed and anxious teenagers.
As the teen library assistant at the Parkland Community Library, she’s seen firsthand how much pressure teenagers put on themselves to perform well on standardized tests. So to help Parkland School District students get through Keystones and midterms, Evans has created de-stress kits.
The kits, being handed out this week at the library, include chocolate, herbal tea and bubble wrap to pop during study breaks.
“When you’re stressed out, you kind of just want to unwind,” she said.
All this week, the kits will be at the library’s circulation desk, and all Parkland students are welcome to pick one up.
It’s a busy time for Parkland students. Last week, they took Keystone tests in algebra and biology. (The Keystones are end-of-course assessments in literature, biology and algebra I for high school students and some middle schoolers.) This week, students are studying for next week’s midterm exams, according to the district calendar.
Evans said that with today’s focus on mental health, she especially wanted to do something for teenagers. Critics have pointed to high-stakes standardized tests such as the Keystones for creating a stress culture with too much emphasis on assessments. Over the years, Pennsylvania has moved to de-emphasize the Keystones and Pennsylvania System of School Assessment by cutting down on the time students take the tests, but the exams are still required.
As a 2011 Parkland High graduate, Evans remembers what it’s like to face the assessments.
“I really wish,” she said, “we had more fun things to do to take your mind off the tests.”
Not a fan of bubble-wrap and treats?
After school Wednesday, Evans plans to have therapy dogs available for students in grades fifth through 12th.
Morning Call reporter Jacqueline Palochko can be reached at 610-820-6613 or at jpalochko@mcall.com.
