Secrets for Success With Standardized Tests
Metro Services
In 2002, President Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act - a law requiring states to ensure that all children get a first-rate education in the classroom. Many parents have already seen the effects of this legislation in their children's classrooms - now all states are required to administer standardized tests in math and reading for students in third through eighth grades. Science exams will be added in 2007.
Most states test in dozens of other subjects, including history, geography and writing. These tests are usually referred to as "high stakes" exams because they often count as the final examination for a course. Failure can even prevent students from being promoted to the next grade.
The school will notify students and parents at the beginning of the school term which tests are scheduled for the year. You can also check with your state's department of education for a list of all statewide exams. On parent-teacher night, ask your child's teacher how she will prepare students for the test. Be sure to ask what you can do to help your child prepare at home.
Check with your child's teacher to find out whether the ordinary classroom tests are given in a format similar to the standardized test that he or she will face later.
Research has indicated that one of the biggest stress inducers with standardized tests is the ticking clock. To help your child become more comfortable with such a condition, try having her solve practice problems under a time limit.
Jason Sheets, an English teacher in Chapel Hill, N.C., did not have a single student fail the state's End of Course test for ninth grade language arts in 2002. He gives his students these tips:
1. Scan all the questions before reading an accompanying passage, chart or graph. This saves time from reading any unnecessary details.
2. Mark out the "distracters." These are the answers that are blatantly wrong and put on the test to distract the student from figuring out the right answer.
3. Answer every question. These tests typically count a blank answer as incorrect, so guessing doesn't hurt. Also, if your child has marked out the distracters, he will be left with a 50-50 chance of guessing correctly.
4. Check all the answers at the end. Many wrong answers occur because a mistake has been made filling in the bubble. Your child should be sure to review every single answer if she has time.
5. Study! In the end, standardized tests assess how much material your child has learned throughout the year. "There is really no replacement for just knowing your stuff," says Sheets. "If a student is comfortable with the information, she will do fine on the test." Your job as a parent is to review the lessons, not just right before the test but during the year too.
It's important to stay positive on the days leading up to the test, according to Sheets. Encourage children to treat these tests as just another aspect of their classwork. If you make a big deal out of them, your child will pick up on your anxiety and take it with her on test day. On the day of the exam, be sure your youngster has a healthy breakfast, two sharpened No. 2 pencils and a smile. TF038843
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Last modified: 08/23/03
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