Part 1:
Despite the appearance of this late in season snowstorm, parents
are all too aware that their children’s state standardized tests are coming
just as surely as spring and warmer weather. As an educator in an elementary
school, I am all too familiar with this time of year. Teachers and
administration are beginning to panic, forgoing class trips for extra time in
the classroom. Extended day tasks are being taught extensively, and Saturday classes
are being held to increase academic success. Questions are creeping into normally confident
minds: “Did we cover enough informational texts? Do the students fully
understand this math concept? Are we REALLY prepared?” This year, as an added bonus to this stress,
my daughter is preparing to take her state tests for the first time. This has
opened up a whole new point of view into this often-criticized practice of the ever-dreaded
STANDARDIZED TESTS.
From the start of 3rd grade, the eminent tests have
been on Juliet’s mind. “Mommy, did you know I have 2 big tests this year?”
“Mommy, what happens if I don’t pass the tests?” “Mommy, I had a practice test
in math today! Look how I did…” Now, Juliet is quite high in academics, and I
didn’t think too much about the conversations. I assured her that she would do
well, and that the tests wouldn’t really affect her in any negative way. As the
comments became more frequent, I realized that she was, in fact, quite anxious
about the looming exams.
“Mommy, I am scared. Because the tests are so long! Days
long!” she told me on the train. And then there were fractions. “I just don’t
get how to simplify fractions! How do I know if I simplified enough?” Coming
from a child who has rarely scored below a 100% on a test and can read on a 7th
grade reading level, I knew that I wasn’t the only parent hearing such worries
from their children.
The purpose of standardized tests, as I understand them, is
to assure that your child is at the level that they need to be to progress to
the next grade. Have they been taught the standards that are common across the states?
Have they mastered the content? Mike Barrett wrote, “Test scores are basically
a common yardstick by which all applicants can be measured consistently (http://www.testingiseasy.com/standardized-test-purpose).”
Taking out the variable of teacher
opinion, the test purpose is to show your child’s abilities in a non-judgmental
forum. As we all know, there is a load of controversy surrounding the issue of
state and standardized testing, but my purpose is not to discuss these
opinions. The truth of the matter is that your child is required to take these
tests, and there are ways for you to help them.
In this series of blogs, I will be suggesting ways to help
your child. I will give you my “teacher tips” for home enrichment in ELA and
Math, but I will also be beseeching you to support your child emotionally, and
prepare them in other ways.
