Preparing Students for the Standardized Test
State Testing Success Requires Planning and Special Skills
Mar 22, 2009
The spectre of standardized testing raises tension and insecurity among teachers and students as the date looms closer. With careful planning and preparation, the testing sessions can be made less stressful, and students can expect greater success.
Use a Year Long Curriculum Map and Pacing Guide
Mapping out a curriculum for teaching throughout the year is the first step in preparing students to be successful on their tests. Start before the beginning of the school year to plan when and how to introduce skills, and plan for spiral reviews throughout the year. Plan to use the most effective teaching strategies so the students will retain the knowledge.
Many educational publishers provide a pacing guide for their own textbooks, but that is not enough for the teacher to use. Every teacher or teaching team needs to examine closely the state standards for their grade level, and ensure that time is given to teach each standard. Map the entire year, planning to have all the standards addressed by the time the testing season arrives.
Two Months before Testing
Two months before the standardized test dates, teachers should take another close look at the standards. Check each standard off that has been taught satisfactorily. Highlight any that still need to be taught and work them into the plans for the next two months.
Review Released Test Questions
The State Department of Education in many states allows schools to use released test questions to prepare students for the test. These questions may have appeared on previous versions of the tests, and the current test may have questions presented in a similar format. The released questions can be used by educators in many ways.
- Review of concepts learned in class.
- Assessing student strengths and weaknesses to guide instruction.
- Introducing new concepts that still need to be taught before the test date.
- Review of academic vocabulary.
- Allowing students to learn how the questions are posed.
- Practicing test-taking skills.
- Reducing apprehension in students by allowing them to know what the test will be like.
Two Weeks before the Test
By this time, most of the released test questions should have been reviewed, and all the standards should have been covered. Now is the time to focus on areas that need skill review or extra practice. By using the results from the released test questions, teachers will be able to give focused, guided instruction in any concepts that need additional support.
One Day before the Test
Have a class meeting and let the students know what to expect. Let them know that they have been well prepared this year and they know all they need to know to be successful. Prepare a packet of puzzles and worksheets to occupy students who complete the test early while they wait quietly for others to finish. Some teachers provide gum for their students during testing, a treat reserved for that one special time of year.
After class, ensure that the room is test ready. There should be plenty of sharpened pencils and erasers for the students to each have two. All materials on the walls of the classroom that might be considered aids should be covered and replaced with posters or art. Desks should be arranged so that students all have plenty of room to work comfortably.
The Day of the Test
Plan to arrive early to review the test directions. Have a locking cupboard or secure location for the test materials. Take a deep breath, relax, and know that with this planning, the students are ready and prepared.
Standardized testing is a factor in education that needs careful planning and preparation to reduce the stress associated with it. By starting at the beginning of the year with a comprehensive curriculum map, and following it faithfully through the school weeks, students will have the skills they need to be successful.
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