Oradell, NJ February 4, 2015 —Currently, in the United States, standardized testing plays a major role in public schools. Your child could take more than one standardized test during a school year and teachers may spend classroom time preparing students for upcoming tests. On a daily basis, parents can support their child before, during and after these tests in various ways that will help their child be more prepared on test day.
Before the test-As a parent you need to be prepared before the test. Most schools will send home information in advance of the test about testing schedules and preparation plans. That includes, what the test is, what it will measure, and how the results will be analyzed and used. Check with your school to see if standardized tests results are used for placement in classes for the following school year. Here are steps you can take to prepare your child:
On test day-"It is imperative that your child gets a good night’s rest the night before and eats a healthy breakfast. This ensures your child can work to their maximum potential," says Eileen Huntington of Huntington Learning Center. Huntington suggest the following test taking tactics. Here is a list of test taking strategies students can use to answer questions:
After the test - Assessments vary from test to test, but the test scores should include information that helps you interpret the results. Talk with your child's teacher if you have any questions about the test results. Usually, the results are made available to both parents and teachers. Remember that standardized tests cannot measure the sum total of your child’s progress. It is only one assessment tool designed to measure a certain set of skills.
Lower than expected test results on standardized tests might indicate your child is struggling. It’s better to get help sooner rather than later. Huntington’s highly trained tutors work with your child individually, at his or her own pace, to master each skill before moving on to more difficult tasks and more advanced learning.