Testing and your child

Take a moment to think about how testing has become a part of your child's life. Think about how you'd reply to these questions:

• How has my child done on standardized tests?
• Does that fit with what I know about my child?
• How do people at school interpret her test scores?
• What other factors might be at work?
• How do I feel about tests?
• What might I try to do to make my child’s experience better?
• Can I help my school and my community gain some perspective on testing?
• What new ideas have I come across?

Things you can do

If you believe your child’s test scores do not reflect what your child knows and can do:

1. Make sure that other kinds of assessments---class grades, teacher recommendations and evaluations—are included in your child’s permanent record. Make sure any decisions made about your child include those assessments as well as test scores.

2. Check with the school district office to find out about test accommodations. Your child may be able to take the test in a setting that is better for his or her performance. For example, if your child needs extra time to complete tasks in the classroom, this may be provided during tests, too.

3. If test-taking skills are an issue, your child may benefit from doing some practice tests. These are available for free from your school or at low cost from a local bookstore.

If you believe your child’s test scores do reflect what your child knows and can do:

1. Speak with your child’s teacher about your child’s strengths and weaknesses. Ask the teacher how he or she plans to help your child learn more. Set up a plan that you can be involved in, too.

2. Get free tutoring. Many schools offer after-school and during-lunch tutoring programs. Community centers and churches also offer tutoring. Often these programs are free.

3. Help your child find ways to use literacy and mathematics in your daily activities. Give your child some of the reading, writing and calculating tasks that you normally do. For example: Encourage your child to write letters or emails to family members. Ask him or her to keep track of how much money the family is spending on groceries per month.