About Guide

Parent's Guide To State Testing

About This Guide

As a school community, we recognize that all stakeholders’ support of the educational process is essential to student success.

One measure of success and academic progress of your child is standardized testing, and often in parent survey comments and parent conferences, parents ask “How can I help my child?” In response we have developed a parent’s guide to standardized testing. This guide is divided into five sections along with a detached appendix that includes Grade Level Expectations (GLEs) for each grade level.

Research proves parent involvement in their child’s school work and activities will lead to better student performance. By utilizing this guide you will be taking an active role in helping your child make the connection between what they learn in school and what they do at home.

In Section A “What test does my child take?” you will see what type of test your child will be required to take along with test information.

In Section B “How is the test scored?” you will see the form our school uses with the classroom teacher to set individual achievement level goals. These goals are determined by utilizing several data sources—Star test results, practice assessment scores, report card grades, last year’s standardized test scores, attendance, and personal effort. You will be asked to review and sign this form after the goals have been set by your child and the classroom teacher. Behind this form you will find an explanation of each achievement level by subject and level: Advanced, Mastery, Basic, Approaching Basic, and Unsatisfactory.

In Section C “How can I help my child with writing?” you will find an explanation and state rubric for constructed response, our school’s TAPE format for scoring constructive response items, the essay requirements for grades 3-10, types of writing, the state writing rubric, and a writer’s checklist.

In Section D “What can I do to help my child at home?” you find a variety of internet resources to assist your child at home. Parents may view and utilize these sites at the Parent Center in our school’s front office.

We have provided a Grade Level Expectations (GLEs) appendix for each grade level (PreK-12) entitled, “What is expected of my child?” The appendix is divided into the four tested core subject areas—Math, English Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies. Each subject includes the skills that are taught and should be mastered by your child at each grade level.

We feel the time and effort put into creating this guide will provide our parents the necessary information in helping to answer that often prevailing question “How can I help my Child?”

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