Dear Judy,

I have daughters in the 4th grade who are supposed to take the state exams this year. I'm told future middle schools will look at these exam results to determine acceptance. The stress my daughters are under during "test prep" is crazy. Is this exam really mandatory?

Fourth grade mother

Dear Fourth Grade Mother,

Yes, the standardized tests are required. Chancellor's Regulation A-501 makes that clear.

Whether or not you think that this system is right, I would advise you to have your daughters take the test.

Fourth grade tests are important because middle schools look at them to decide on admissions. Kids apply to middle school in the fall of 5th grade--before the results of the tests given in the spring of 5th grade are available.

The bad news is the Department of Education recently announced that the tests will be harder this year. The good news is that the stakes won't be as high. Cut-off scores for acceptance to selective middle schools may be lower this year (because the DOE expects everyone will score lower.) And children who score Level 1--the lowest grade--won't automatically be held back as they might have been in the past.

You can help to relieve their stress by not transmitting your own anxiety, or your dislike of the system. Rather, keep them up to date on homework, reading and generally support a good, relaxed atmosphere at home.

Good luck to your daughters and to you.

Judy Baum