Assessments Need to Grow With Our Kids
If you’re a parent, you’ve probably seen your child take a test and wondered, Does this even show what my kid really knows?
That big question was raised in a recent episode of the Celebrate Kids podcast. The “nation’s report card” (the NAEP assessment) shows that seniors in 2024 scored lower in math and reading than almost any graduating class before them. Headlines make it sound like today’s teens are doomed. But is that the whole story?
Dr. Kathy reminds us: before we panic, we need to ask if the way we’re measuring kids is fair, or even relevant.
Why Standardized Tests Miss the Mark
Think about math. Many high school students finish their required mathematics courses by their sophomore year. If they stop taking math after that, is it fair to test them on advanced concepts two years later? That’s not a sign they’re lazy or poorly taught; it’s a mismatch between what’s tested and what’s actually needed for their path.
The same is true for reading. Today’s kids read differently. Screens, devices, and AI tools shape how they consume information. Research shows that reading on a screen doesn’t stick as deeply as reading on paper. So when tests measure reading comprehension without factoring in those realities, we may not be seeing an accurate picture of their abilities.
And here’s the danger: when a child sees a low score, they may think, I’m just bad at math or I’m not a reader. That label sticks, and it can change the trajectory of their confidence, career choices, even faith in themselves.
A Better Way to Measure Growth
Instead of asking, “What did my child score?” maybe we should ask, “What kind of learner is my child becoming?” Dr. Kathy suggests four powerful markers of real education:
Do they love learning? If curiosity is alive, they’ll be able to pivot when life or jobs change.
Do they ask good questions? Jesus modeled this at age twelve in the temple. He amazed teachers not by memorizing answers but by asking thoughtful questions.
Can they use information? Knowledge is good; wisdom is better. Can kids apply what they’ve learned to solve real problems?
Can they explain it to others? If your child can teach a sibling what they’ve learned, that’s evidence of deep understanding.
Those are the kinds of assessments that matter.
What Parents Can Do at Home
You don’t need a standardized test to measure what really matters. Try this:
At the dinner table: Ask, “What’s one question you wondered about today?”
After homework: Encourage them to explain a concept back to you in their own words.
On family walks: Point out connections: “That history lesson about perseverance reminds me of the story we read in the Bible last night.”
When mistakes happen: Reframe them as opportunities. Instead of “You failed”, say, “What did you discover? What will you do differently next time?”
These little practices keep curiosity alive and remind kids that education is more than scores, it’s preparation for life.
Using the 8 Great Smarts to Engage Kids
You can help your kids connect their learning to how God wired them:
Word Smart: Encourage journaling questions or writing letters about what they’re learning.
Logic Smart: Let them solve riddles or puzzles that link to their school subjects.
Picture Smart: Have them draw diagrams or doodles to explain a concept.
Music Smart: Put facts to a rhythm or song for easier recall.
Body Smart: Act out historical events or build a model.
Nature Smart: Connect science lessons to patterns in the natural world.
People Smart: Have them teach or present what they know to siblings or friends.
Self Smart: Give them space to reflect: “How does this lesson change how I think or live?”
Remember, the way we test kids may need an update, but God’s design for how children learn hasn’t changed. They are curious, capable, and created to grow. When we nurture their smarts, encourage their questions, and connect learning to life, we prepare them for more than a grade; we prepare them for a calling.
As Dr. Kathy says, “Children have present value, not just future potential.” Let’s build assessments and homes that honor that truth.