Hollister
– Hollister School District students have brushed off their
thinking caps and sharpened their No. 2 pencils in preparation for
California’s Standardized Testing and Reporting Program – starting
today at local elementary and middle schools.
Hollister – Hollister School District students have brushed off their thinking caps and sharpened their No. 2 pencils in preparation for California’s Standardized Testing and Reporting Program – starting today at local elementary and middle schools.
The statewide testing evaluates second-graders through high school juniors based on their knowledge of a variety of academic subjects, ranging from science to language arts. These test scores are used to judge a school’s performance at both the state and national level.
Local teachers and administrators have spent the last several weeks mentally and emotionally preparing students for the standardized tests.
High school students in San Benito County took the exams last week.
“Almost every single school has decided that you need to motivate students,” said Anita Franchi, director of instruction for Hollister School District. “(The students) now realize that they really have to take the test seriously.”
Several of the local elementary schools held “STAR rallies” to get the students to recognize the importance of the tests. During these rallies, teachers and administrators addressed the students on the importance of the exams to the schools.
Besides holding rallies, some principals took even more personal measures to ensure their students understand the test’s importance.
Calaveras Principal Christine White met in small groups with all students taking the test – approximately 300 students – to talk about their past performances and discuss testing strategies.
“I have (the students) promise me they’re going to at least do their best on the test,” White said. “I say, ‘I’m not expecting you to be perfect, but everybody can do a little better.'”
White said she also tells her students to make sure they eat a good breakfast and get a good night’s sleep before testing – which can last between four and eight days.
Most administrators shared the feeling that while there was little more they could do to prepare the students academically for the tests, they could try to ensure that the students were trying their hardest and taking the tests seriously.
“In terms of what they know, there’s nothing you can do to change it,” Franchi said. “Attitude can make a huge change in test scores. Lots of times the only thing that (was done) differently was having a positive attitude and learning test-taking skills.”
Alice Joy covers education for the Free Lance. She can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 336 or at
aj**@fr***********.com
.
