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By Ron Marvel

Star Correspondent

Valley Forge Elementary’s TCAP testing begins this week, and the staff and administration want their students to know that learning has greater value than any test. “Taking a test like the TCAP can bring a lot of anxiety and worry to students, so we were trying to take all that fear away,” Valley Forge Elementary Principal Brandon Young shared. So, as students were dropped off by bus or their parents, the red carpet was rolled out, and their teachers, staff, and administration gave them applause and encouragement as they walked up the red carpet toward their classes.

“We gave them a bracelet that said ‘star student’ on it. We cheered and applauded them, and we know they have been taught the material they need to know. So, instead of making it a stressful day, we wanted to make it a happy day,” Young added. With support in their sails now, the students will get to demonstrate to the State of Tennessee exactly what they have been taught.

A sign also greeted the students that read “Our Eagles Soar” with red carpet music. The school now, over the next several days, will engage in TCAP testing, Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program, and as many teachers and principals can share with you. It can be a difficult balance to walk between teaching to pass the TCAP and keeping learning fun and exciting for their students. “We want our kids to have a love of learning, and learning is more important than any test. So, if our teachers come in and teach the standards and objectives, then we know they will be prepared, so, we don’t talk about the test besides for the week before. We share with them that if they listen to their teachers and do what they ask of you, then you will be prepared for the test. We need life-long learners. To me, that means more than one test at the end of the school year,” Young shared.

The TCAP test will run for three days each week for the next two weeks, and students should have results back before the end of the school year; English will be covered this week and math next week. Testing applies to third to eighth grades, while second-graders take a benchmark exam. Valley Forge Elementary has 206 students with roughly 40 staff members. “When you tell a kid they are a superstar when it comes to learning, they can go in calm rather than just focused on the outcome,” Young exclaimed.