How Amish Students Mark Progress

Warm weather has finally settled into the Heartland, and a dry stretch this past week allowed many families to finish planting their gardens. The fields and backyard plots are beginning to show early signs of growth, and there is a sense of steady purpose as the community moves further into Spring. As the Season changes, the school year also nears its close, making this a fitting time to continue our series on Amish education. This week, we look at how students are tested, how progress is measured, and what eighth-grade graduation looks like in a one-room schoolhouse.

In many Amish communities, including those here in Iowa, students take the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills, which are part of the Iowa Statewide Testing Programs. These tests have been used for decades to measure student learning in areas such as reading, vocabulary, language, mathematics, and science. They are achievement tests designed to assess what a child has learned in school, and they are widely used in Iowa and across the United States.

Teachers prepare their students carefully for test week. One woman in the community shared that the younger children often stay home during testing days, so the schoolhouse remains quiet for the older grades. Students arrive with sharpened number two pencils and a sense of anticipation. While some children feel nervous, others feel excited, and many remember test days as something a little out of the ordinary. When asked about the most challenging test, one woman could not recall any particular section that stood out, suggesting that the steady pace of daily lessons prepared them well.

During the tests, teachers do not assist the students. The goal is for the results to reflect each child’s true abilities. This approach is consistent with the purpose of the Iowa Assessments, which are meant to help teachers understand how students are progressing and where they may need additional support. Although teachers cannot help during the tests, they do spend the rest of the year guiding students who struggle. Extra practice, patient explanations, and hands-on learning are all part of the school routine.

Students know they are ready for eighth-grade graduation when they have earned passing grades throughout all eight years. Graduation itself is simple and familiar. It takes place on the same day as the annual school picnic, which is a tradition many families look forward to. There are songs, shared meals, and the easy feeling of a community gathering. The students wear their normal clothing, and there are no special ceremonies or speeches. One woman remembered feeling regret as she walked out of the schoolhouse for the last time, knowing that the years she had enjoyed so much were now behind her.

The day after graduation looks very different from the day before. Instead of sitting at a desk, the young people begin helping with the work of the home. Girls often take on housework, baking, and gardening, while boys begin learning carpentry, farming, or other trades. Graduation marks a shift from childhood learning to the practical responsibilities of adult life, and the transition happens quickly.

Stories from Our Amish Basket Weavers

Here are a few of the most notable moments from the families who weave the beautiful baskets featured on AmishBaskets.com, shared with us this week.

The end of the school year brought a cheerful week across the community as most districts held their annual school picnics. Families look forward to these gatherings all Spring, and the schools try to schedule them on different days so grandparents can attend more than one if they have several grandchildren in different districts. Rosa shared details from the Mast family’s day, and the same happy spirit could be felt in every schoolhouse. Students sang their songs, recited verses, and joined hands as they sang “Bind Us Together”. Five eighth graders shared a poem as part of their final program, and everyone smiled at the thought of four new first graders joining next year, bringing the school back to nearly thirty students.

The potluck meal was a favorite part of the day. Families brought haystack ingredients, creating a colorful spread of potatoes, crumbled meat, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, cheese sauce, and chips. Dessert tables were filled with homemade ice cream, store-bought ice cream for the younger children, and plenty of bars, cookies, and cinnamon rolls. Conversations stretched across the picnic tables as families compared garden progress and shared stories from the year.

The afternoon softball game was in full swing when dark clouds gathered. Within minutes, families hurried toward their buggies, and the schoolyard cleared almost instantly as everyone headed home before the rain arrived. It added a bit of excitement to an already memorable day.

Each student received a printed program filled with the poems, songs, scriptures, and sayings shared throughout the picnic. This year’s cover was drawn by one of the graduates, and many families tucked their copies away as keepsakes. Across all four families, the picnics were the highlight of the week and a joyful way to welcome the busy Season ahead.

"Memories are a keepsake no one can steal."

- Amish Wisdom Overheard in the Community