Liz Atwood is testing the testing waters with her sons this Tween Tuesday:

This is the first year my 8-year-old has had to take the Maryland School Assessment tests and moms of third graders have been talking about how it’s going. Some children are naturally very nervous and worried. A lot is riding on the tests-- for the teachers, the schools and for the students. How well the students do affects everything from what classes they are placed in to the value of real estate in their neighborhoods. The schools have been giving practice tests for weeks to get the kids prepared.

My older son, an eighth grader, is used to the tests, but nevertheless detests them, saying they are tiring and boring.

But my younger son? After his first couple days of testing, he announced that he loves MSAs. The reason—two recesses and no homework!

How is your child coping with the state’s annual assessment tests?