I took one major criterion students use in defining their smarts: test scores and the second one being grades. I researched the history of tests and the connection with smarts and intelligence. Standardized test concepts have a history dating back Alfred Binet who created the Stanford-Binet Test of Intelligence. Although the tests provided insight on intelligence, there was little information on the test taker’s abilities or future performance. However, under the slang definition of the noun, I encountered the word smart equating to intelligence. Even where I found the slang words, the definitions still aligned the word “smart” with pain, sting, lively, agile, chic, energetic and the antonyms even made me wonder more about the criteria students were setting to define the word. In other locations, the same definitions were being mentioned. The idea of smart as a way of being and dressing, a pain one suffers, a quick remark, or an attentive mode. I wanted to better understand what the concept of “smarts” was and what criteria is used to measure such a benchmark. I began with an easy process: define the term. Miriam Webster dictionary shares the following: making one smart: causing a sharp stinging marked by often sharp forceful activity or vigorous strength brisk, spirited, mentally alert shrewd witty, clever and neat or trim (). In the past week, many students have shared their thoughts of not having the “smarts”. It troubles me, as a counselor, to hear such ideas that make our younger generation’s self-esteem, confidence and ability to succeed be defined by such a subjective term. I watched too many students tear up and share with their parents that it’s not what they want, but what the parents have expected of them. When they don’t earn the desired grade or standardized test score, then they are not “smart”.
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