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In the 2014-2015 school year, students across the country will be taking new standardized tests. Of the 45 states that will make this transition, students will either take the PARCC Assessment, or the SMARTER Balanced Asessment: both will be aligned with the Common Core Standards.  In this era of increased accountability for students, stress is a very real concern for our young test-takers. Text anxiety takes a toll on students, and sometimes this worry carries with it the potential to negatively impact their test performance as well. As a parent, you can help reduce standardized testing stress and anxiety by following these recommendations: Keep It in Perspective. Remember that this is a test that measures a student’s performance on one set of questions, during one particular time frame. While these tests are indicators of your child’s progress and attainment of the Common Core Standards, it is still important to remember that no test can assess everything your child has learned. While it is important to take the results seriously, realize the test does not “make” the child. Your child is more than a singular test, subject, or grade. In other words, avoid one-dimensional thinking by acknowledging your child as a whole person: this will not only help with his/her development and self-esteem but also will nurture a positive environment in which your child thrives – even when it’s time to take a high-stakes test. Help Your Child by Educating Yourself. Teachers will no doubt be working with students to prepare for this new wave of testing, yet nothing replaces the one-on-one assistance of a parent. Plus, you know your child best. And knowing your son or daughter puts you in a position to tailor assistance that will optimize strengths and help build weak areas. If you are uncomfortable with helping your child prepare for the tests, consider on-line resources (such as the Lumos Learning Workbooks), hiring a tutor for more intensive assistance, or a combination of the two. For older students, your child may wish to study with a friend: not only is the study session more enjoyable, but kids sometimes have a way of explaining material to one another in a way that makes more sense to them. Also, look into what your school has to offer. Some districts have made after-school tutoring, clubs, and study sessions available for extra practice. Finally, ask your child’s teacher what your son or daughter needs help with to assist you in pinpointing areas to work on at home. For instance, something as simple as working on basic facts (addition, multiplication, etc.) at home can make a huge difference: now, instead of your child wasting precious time on basic operations, he or she can focus on more challenging problems that require him/her to apply that knowledge in a more complex way on a math assessment. Read more on WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS AND ANXIETY FOR CHILDREN
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CCSS, classroom, Common Core, common core state standard, Lumos Learning, stress management, test, test stress,
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