—–
I don’t usually share rough drafts, but I’m not sure when I’ll get around to revising this.
Wrote it this morning after remembering something one of my students said this past week.
—–

“This test is killing me” she said out loud.
Sounding beat down and definitely not proud.
She couldn’t rip up her persecutor,
For the evil test was on her laptop computer.

Her teacher heard her and came to console,
To re-direct, and to bribe her soul.
“You can have a Jolly Rancher when you finish”
He announced to the class.
They understood completely
And finished it fast.

This pilot test, this test of a test,
Had worn them all down,
So that they all could care less.
Further explaining, he mustered all of his grit…

“I realize that this test seems like a test,
But it’s really just a test of a test.
Next year you’ll see the real test
With less glitches, I hope,
Since through your struggles, the testers
Will tweak the test test and then
Re-test its testiness,
Until it tests just right.
We’ve tracked your frustrations
With utmost precision.
I’m sorry you’ve been subjects
Of experimentation.
No, you won’t know your results
And either will we,
We’re doing this to help future test takers,
You see.
There’s one more reason,
You should probably know,
The district’s tech budget gets $10 per student
Who finishes this mess.”

The students sat stunned for a second
But breathed in, their brains reactivated
By the smell of Jolly Ranchers and
Most capitulated.

A few wanted the money
For video games or books,
But closed their laptops
With saddened, blank looks.