How do teachers manage?

I administered GED tests yesterday to 17 "Alternative school" students. They are bright, personable people taken individually, but when they congregate, a gestalt occurs and produces a what - personality change? Mob mentality? Veil of idiocy? We have a script that we read from to make sure they all get all the information. We tell them the same things at least two different ways. And they still get it wrong. Are these kids so poor that they can't afford to pay attention?

And how frustrating it must be for them, trying to sort out priorities (should I pay attention to this old woman nattering on at me about this dumb stuff, or should I pay attention to what Lissie is whispering?) Trying to find happiness (I want to be a professional skateboarder and make millions, going on tour and being surrounded with totally hot groupies) is dating (I want to get married and have babies.) And analyzing the major products of Brazil just isn't that important to them. They are not fully in touch with reality because teens rarely are.

I have control issues with this group. They are basically honest, and can't understand why I won't let them use their phones for text messages while they are testing. I'm such a harsh old meanie. Or why they need to show photo ID before testing. Or why they can't whisper a few messages to their buddies who are still testing when they leave the room.

At least they have a couple of really good instructors. People who tell them, "In life, you have to get used to jumping through hoops for the government. The better you get at hoop jumping, the easier life will be for you."

So I'm off again to administer more tests. Oh joy.