PROFICIENCY

“Proficiency” by Shannon Nichols is a well written and concise story about the authors struggle to pass the writing proficiency test in grade school and how that experience changed the way she viewed writing. in the beginning she enjoys writing and considers herself to be a good writer. after failing the proficiency test the first time, she wants an explanation. she thinks there must be a mistake but it is impossible to get any feedback. When she fails it the second time, she becomes bitter and she no longer enjoys writing. As a whole it is a complaint against the testing system. Through her story we are given an example of how standardized testing can turn someone off from an entire subject or perhaps education entirely. She remarks in the end “I wish I knew why I failed that test because then I might have written what was expected on the second try, maintained my enthusiasm for writing, and continued to do well”, unfortunately for her that was not the case. It is no different that demoting someone in their job without telling them why or what they did wrong.