Teacher Sends Encouraging Note To Student With Autism Who Didn't Pass Standardized Test

Student with autism receives encouraging note from teacher after he fails a standardized test

There’s no shortage of complaints regarding standardized tests, but if they are difficult for students who don’t have extra learning challenges, imaging how they are for students who do. The action one school took to make sure kids who learn differently than others didn’t feel discouraged by their tests scores is truly heartwarming.

The Mighty reports that 11-year-old Ben Twist did not pass his standardized tests, but his teacher sent along an awesome note of encouragement with the scores. The note was shared by Ben’s mother, Gail Twist, on Twitter.

“A very important piece of information I want you to understand is that these tests only measure a little bit of you and your abilities,” the letter reads. “They are important and you have done so well but Ben Twist is made up of many other skills and talents that we at Lansbury Bridge see and measure in other ways.”

Children are not robots. They all learn in different ways, whether or not they have a learning disability. It is just as important for children to be taught that there are things about them that make them unique and important that could never be measured by a standardized test.

The letter goes on to list the many talents Ben has, that can not be measured in test form — like his kindness and ability to make friends, among other things. “We are so pleased that all of these different talents and abilities make you the special person you are and these are all of the things we measure to reassure us that you are always making progress and continuing to develop as a lovely bright young man,” the note reads. “Well done Ben, we are very proud of you.”

And well done Mrs. Clarkson and Lansbury Bridge School and Sports College, too. There is no child that wouldn’t benefit from some extra encouragement and positivity.