AJ and the TAKS test

AJ and Kristen were our first foster children (see post "The Start"). When AJ came to us, he was nine years old and in the third grade. He had already been held back once but was still only on a first grade reading level. We soon learned that he was dyslexic and worked with the school to get him extra help. He was truely an amazing boy, as soon as he got positive reenforcement for school work he wanted to do well. As soon as he wanted to do well, he did! He worked very hard.  At the time, in Texas, if you did not pass the TAKS reading test you had to repeat third grade. This was going to be very hard for AJ, but he worked and worked. His teacher copied all of the practice tests available and we did them at home. I thought this was going to be miserable for him but he actually enjoyed it most of the time, someone giving him attention and feeling success were things he had not had before. After he took the TAKS test we went out to celebrate (we did not know if he passed, but he worked hard and did his best - cause for celebration) he was so excited that he was the center of attention, I don't think he even ate any of his food! After much anticipation, the principal called me one day saying she had the TAKS scores back. She started crying - AJ had only missed one question on the entire reading test! He passed with flying colors! In less than one year, he had gone from the lowest in his class to being third best on the TAKS test! He was so excited when we told him, and of course, more celebration was to follow! Later, after he went home, he called me to tell me he had passed his TAKS test again! It's amazing how far they can come in such a short time. When I feel like I can't do something I have friends and family (and God) there to support me, AJ had no one. Thank you,  God, for showing me that a little hard work and attention go a long way.