Slice of Life Tuesday: The True Meaning of Success

Today was the first day of our state writing test, or STAAR. We've spent nearly 8 months together -- reading, writing, thinking, questioning, reflecting, and more.

They're stronger. More confident. Well-prepared.

They have created a solid craft as writers in the months we have shared.

I'm not worried. My stomach isn't twisted in knots.

This is a strange phenomenon.

By all accounts, I probably should be concerned.

Even though what they have learned is solid, it's possible they haven't grown enough to pass at the state standard. They came to me struggling to learn. They arrived such a short time ago, with low self esteems that often got in the way of their own success -- and this had to be tended to before we could do anything else.

So. We've grown by leaps and bounds. They are proud of their writing -- where once it was difficult to write a coherent sentence, now there are paragraphs of well-thought sentences.

I could not be more proud of them, each and every one. And results from this test won't shake that away.