Isn’t Your Child More Than a Number?

Poet-songwriters Amy Ludwig VanDerwater and Barry Lane teamed up to create this poignant melody, which grew out of their concern over the American public school system’s obsession with standardized test scores. Says VanDerwater, who blogs at The Poem Farm, “Children’s spirits are deep and wide, beautiful and boundless, and it is our hope that all adults can remember this as we write policy and make decisions.” VanDerwater and Lane are both writing teachers who work closely with children and are keenly aware of how inadequately a test score reflects the many facets and talents of their students.

I am more than a number.
I am more than a grade.
I know the constellations.
Here’s a painting that I made.
I read books in my closet.
I will not be a ‘2’.
I am more than a number.
I’m a person just like you.

I speak one language here
and another in my home.
I daydream in both languages
whenever I’m alone.
I’m good at climbing trees.
Mom’s teaching me to sew.
I am full of secrets
a test can never know.

You can see the complete lyrics here. VanDerwater and Lane hope to bring more attention to the complex issue of how an emphasis on standardized testing affects students and teachers — an issue we’ve pondered here at GeekMom as well. Because aren’t we all full of secrets a test can never know?