First Lady didn't sweat tests. Why should you?
First Lady didn't sweat tests. Why should you?
Michelle Obama doesn't put much stock in standardized tests. "Don't let those tests defeat you. Don't let those tests define you," she told a group of about 30 students at Denver's South High School on Monday as part of a day of mentoring in the city.
"When I was growing up, I was never a great standardized test-taker," but she ended up attending Princeton University, Mrs. Obama said. Straight-A grades and a strong essay helped her overcome bad test scores, she added.
The first lady, however, did not hint that she thought standardized tests should go away.
Speaking to a student who had asked whether it's fair to use test scores to measure schools when some students don't speak English well, Mrs. Obama said the tests are "part of the system" and can't be avoided.
"You can fight the tests, or you can work with them and turn them into an advantage," she said.
When asked about the hardest thing to being the first lady, Mrs. Obama gestured toward a bank of news cameras and said it was "making sure my girls don't get lost in all this. I want to make sure they come out of this as whole as possible," she said.
She also added that she and President Barack Obama work to make time for daughters Malia, 11, and Sasha, 8.
"When they have an event, it takes precedence over everything," said Mrs. Obama.
Earlier in the day, Mrs. Obama spoke about the importance of mentoring at a lunch with about 80 girls at the Colorado governor's mansion. Attendees at the luncheon included Kathleen Sebelius, the former governor of Kansas and President Obama's Health & Human Services secretary. Other mentors were Latina astronaut Ellen Ochoa, and actresses Susan Sarandon and Alfre Woodard.
Mrs. Obama did not take questions from the media, and reporters were allowed to sit in on only parts of the luncheon and afternoon mentoring session.
The mentoring initiative was launched in Washington, D.C., earlier this year. Aides to the first lady said she would visit other cities, but didn't have details.
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- Posted on November 17, 2009
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I personally think that yes we should take standardized test serious. Even though Michelle Obama did not worry too much about this important exams and she got accepted into Princeton, that doesn't mean we are all going to have the same chances. Therefore, we should all try our best to get at least proficient on this tests so we could all have great opportunities in our future. Who knows, we might also be accepted to Princeton or even Harvard. But yes indeed, it all depends on us and our effort towards getting there. I understand that the CSTs may become very frustrating for some students but like Michelle said"its part of the system and we can not avoid them". We just go with the flow and do our best.
I think that tests are hard and put a lot of stress on us. Of course they'll help us in life, but those little bubbles to fill in can get really annoying, especially when you get outside the lines.
I Don't Agree with the first lady, those tests are hard how can you like not be worried for those tests? Those things are so long personally I don't like them so i get stressed about them.
Well some people have to sometimes because some people have a hard time with stuff like that most defidently I dont agree.Nope dont agree.Its hard.
You should sweat some tests, especially if it's a test to test whether or not you get into the college of your dreams. Of course, if you don't get the best score, it's okay too.
Michelle Obama is quite a unique, intelligent, amazing lady. She is a role model for all. Many may think that perfect people are 'perfect', but that's not the case for Mrs. Obama. She stresses to high schoolers that making mistakes and having weaknesses is okay. As well, she adds that instead of being allies with tests and quizzes, make them your 'friends', and work with them to strengthen yourself. I think that Michelle Obama makes a great point, and lets people know to let your strengths rise above your weaknesses.
I think our country's afraid of accepting failure. No wonder our oil supply is soon going to be gonein the eatern continent , their arabias has earned their backbone... the US has misplaced ours by stupidity. It's too bad that the first lady is saying, "You might as well not even try because tests don't matter." If the students have fears of failing like your parents tell you your grounded they are scared for that not the tests
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This is all good, but they still make us take the tests and put a lot of pressure on us. Some of us just are not good tests takers. Some of us have trouble with the time limits.
i really dont get were shes going with this is shes sayings keep them or no .We have a bigger problem on our hands
I think that I should not sweat on my test. She didn't and now look where she is at in the White House and her husband is the president. I think that I will not be so nervous over my test and I will just try my best.