As achievement testing starts next week, some may wonder why we spend this time—and money—on testing. Why is achievement testing helpful to parents, students, teachers, and school administration?
Standardized achievement testing
- measures a student’s academic progress
- a second measure of progress in addition to teachers’ assessments
- allows a look at the school as a whole, as well as for individual students
Ability testing
- when compared with a student’s achievement, helps parents and teachers identify if a student is performing at, above, or below expectation
How to prepare: Apply good school habits
Be well rested. Regular sleep—or an extra hour—each night the week of testing helps students stay focused during testing.
Eat well. Nutritious meals and snacks help with mental concentration. Sugary breakfasts and snacks leave students tired (after that initial energy burst), hungry, and struggling to focus.
Be prepared. Good tools: sharpened pencils, good erasers
Be on time. Allow time to unpack, settle in, and be mentally ready when testing begins.
Pray.
- Achievement testing provides a snapshot of a student’s current academic achievement. It does not measure a student’s value or give a right to brag (or cry) about gifts given by God.
- Students should take their time, keep moving, and ultimately do their best to please the Lord—without pressure or fear about what the testing will reveal.
- Teachers pray at the start of each testing day, and praying with family before school can help a student to relax and have a positive outlook.
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