In the United States, many of us have now lived through a decade of high-stakes testing. This testing costs an average of $1.7 billion annually per state, and students take about 18 major tests each year. The pressure on students, teachers, and schools is intense. Research shows that about 40 percent of students experience test anxiety. Studies also indicate that testing interferes with the student-teacher relationship, which is the basis of all learning.

With this emphasis on testing, the curriculum has narrowed, leaving less time for creativity and recreation. In addition, teachers and administrators often feel that there is no time for social-emotional learning through programs like Conscious Discipline. In reality, Conscious Discipline creates a calm, connected environment that optimizes critical-thinking and learning. It also gives students (and adults) skills that help them manage the pressure of high-stakes testing.

In this episode, Cynthia Robinson-Rivers, Head of School at Van Ness Elementary in Washington D.C., shares how Conscious Discipline has helped her staff and students handle the pressure of testing. Cynthia is an award-winning administrator who has been recognized for her social-emotional learning practices and highly effective leadership. Listen as Cynthia gives practical tips for balancing academics, testing, and social-emotional learning.

Important Links

• ConsciousDiscipline.com (https://consciousdiscipline.com/)

• Seven Powers (https://consciousdiscipline.com/methodology/seven-powers/)

• Seven Skills (https://consciousdiscipline.com/methodology/seven-skills/)

• Safe Place (https://consciousdiscipline.com/free-resources/shubert/shuberts-classroom/safe-place/)

• Brain State Model: Executive State (https://consciousdiscipline.com/methodology/brain-state-model/#tab_executivestate)

Product Mentions

• The NEW Conscious Discipline Book- Expanded and Updated (https://shop.consciousdiscipline.com/collections/conscious-discipline-core/products/the-new-conscious-discipline-book-expanded-updated)

• Creating the School Family (https://shop.consciousdiscipline.com/collections/school-family/products/creating-the-school-family)

• Self-Regulation Value Pack (https://shop.consciousdiscipline.com/collections/the-safe-place/products/self-regulation-value-pack)

• CLASSROOM EDITION: Feeling Buddies Self-Regulation Toolkit (https://shop.consciousdiscipline.com/collections/feeling-buddies/products/feeling-buddies-self-regulation-toolkit-english-only)

:22 What is Conscious Discipline?

1:17 Research on high-stakes testing

3:15 Punishments, rewards, and testing

4:12 Introduction of guest Cynthia Robinson-Rivers

5:11 Van Ness Elementary and Conscious Discipline implementation

8:00 High-stakes testing in Washington D.C.

9:11 Buffering high-stakes testing with social-emotional learning

12:36 Reducing teacher stress

14:30 Systemic side effects of high-stakes testing

15:40 Importance of the whole child and individual student needs

17:55 Cynthia’s approach to social-emotional learning

19:42 Responding to push-back from families

21:30 Success stories

23:28 Three ideas for teachers/administrators to remember amidst the pressure of testing

28:30 What’s Becky celebrating?

29:02 What’s Becky up to?

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING