Last Tuesday, I watched Miguel's mom pace the hallway before pickup, wringing her hands like she was waiting for medical test results. When she finally cornered me, the words tumbled out: "Mrs. Santos, what if Miguel doesn't pass? What if he's not ready? Should I be drilling him with practice tests at home?"

Ay, my heart just broke for her. And for Miguel, who was probably picking up on every ounce of that anxiety.

This scene plays out every single year before FAST testing week. Parents who love their kids so much that they're making themselves (and their children) sick with worry. After 22 years of watching families stress themselves into knots, I've developed a little speech that I give to every parent before testing season hits.

The Truth About What Really Matters

Here's what I tell them, and what I'm telling you if you're a parent reading this: your child has been preparing for this test all year long. Not through practice worksheets or test prep bootcamps, but through every math problem we've solved together, every reading passage we've discussed, every moment of learning that's happened in our classroom.

The FAST test isn't some mysterious beast that's going to ambush your kiddo. It's simply asking them to show what they already know.

I learned this lesson the hard way during my third year of teaching. I was so panicked about test scores that I turned my classroom into a testing factory for the entire month of March. My poor students were miserable, I was miserable, and you know what? The scores weren't any better than the previous year when we just kept learning and growing together.

What I Actually Want From Parents

When parents ask what they can do to help, here's my honest answer:

Keep bedtime normal. I can't tell you how many kids show up exhausted because their parents kept them up late doing "extra practice." A well-rested brain is worth more than a hundred practice problems.

Feed them breakfast. I keep granola bars in my desk because every year, nervous parents forget that hungry kids can't think clearly. Their regular breakfast routine is perfect, whatever that looks like for your family.

Hug them extra. Tell them you're proud of them no matter what. Kids need to know their worth isn't tied to a test score.

The Conversation That Changes Everything

Here's the script I give to parents, and honestly, it works like magic:

"Mija, tomorrow you get to show off everything you've learned this year. Mrs. Santos and I are so proud of how hard you've worked. Just do your best, and remember that no matter what happens, we love you exactly the same."

That's it. No pressure, no threats, no bribes. Just love and confidence.

I tell parents to avoid saying things like "This test is really important" or "You need to pass this" or "Make sure you check your work three times." All of that just adds pressure that doesn't help anyone perform better.

When Parents Want to Help With Content

Some parents insist on doing something academic to help. I get it, pero listen to me carefully: the week before testing is not the time to introduce new concepts or drill weaknesses.

If they absolutely must do something, I suggest:

Read together for fun. Not comprehension questions or vocabulary drills. Just enjoy a good story.

Play math games you already know. Skip counting while walking the dog, talking about patterns in the grocery store, playing card games that involve adding. Keep it light and familiar.

Review test-taking strategies gently. Simple things like "read the whole question first" and "if you're stuck, skip it and come back."

What I Do With the Data Later

Here's something most parents don't realize: the real work happens after the test, not before it. When I get those FAST scores back, that's when the magic begins.

I spend hours analyzing what each child needs next. My colleague Yolanda showed me this tool called FastIXL that helps me match FAST scores to specific IXL skills, which saves me tons of time figuring out exactly where each student needs support.

But parents don't need to worry about any of that. That's my job, and I love doing it.

The Reality Check We All Need

I always end my parent conversations with this reminder: your child is so much more than a test score. I've seen kids who struggled with FAST go on to be incredible mathematicians, artists, leaders, and human beings.

I've also seen kids who aced every test but needed support in areas that no standardized assessment could measure, like creativity, empathy, or resilience.

The test gives us useful information about academic skills. It doesn't measure your child's worth, their potential, or their future success.

For My Fellow Teachers

If you're reading this as an educator, remember that parents are doing their best with the information they have. When they're anxious about testing, they're not questioning our teaching. They're loving their kids the only way they know how.

Take five minutes to have these conversations. Send a note home with your testing week expectations. Most parents just need permission to relax and trust the process.

The Bottom Line

Every year, I watch my students walk into that testing room with confidence because their families have given them the greatest gift possible: unconditional love and support.

Miguel's mom took my advice. She stopped the practice drills, made his favorite breakfast, and told him she was proud of him. He walked into testing week with a smile instead of a stomachache.

That's what we're really preparing them for, isn't it? Not just to fill in bubbles correctly, but to face challenges with confidence, knowing they're loved no matter what.

Trust your kids, trust their teachers, and trust the process. They've got this, and so do we.