How to Prepare Your Elementary Kid for Standardized State Tests like TAKS
Standardized testing is encouraged by school administrators and politicians. Recent political education initiatives such as the No Child Left Behind Act have prompted school districts to place even greater emphasis on standardized testing scores. In Texas, the TAKS test is administered from 3rd grade to 10th grade. TAKS tests can be both general and subject based. Many parents feel it's necessary to prepare their child for standardized tests outside the classroom; with planning and preparation, they can provide extra instruction at home.
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Instructions
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Ask your child's teacher about his classroom performance. Inquire about your child's weak areas. This will help you gauge how much time to allocate for certain test objectives.
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Plan for weekly or daily test preparation based on your child's needs.
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Go online to your state's education agency website for educational resources. For instance, if you live in Texas, visit the Texas Education Agency's website.
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Print test-related materials, such as practice tests and activities. The Texas Education Agency website offers practice tests with answer sheets.
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Practice memorization of key objectives. For example, use flash cards to help your child memorize multiplication tables.
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Use colorful progress charts to give your child a visual aid of his performance. Gold stars and stickers are encouraging tools for young children.
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Make sure your child has a good night's sleep and a healthy breakfast prior to testing. Avoid making your child nervous by placing too much emphasis on the test.
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Tips & Warnings
Ask your child's teacher for help.
Treat test preparation as fun and not as a chore.
Use rewards and praise.
References
Resources
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