Set a high goal
Set a high goal - 100% passing on the test. Post it everywhere, attach it to everything, and talk about it. Strong emphasis on 100% passing. “Project Exemplary” Convince teachers to see kids as 100% passed. (That way you might get some 70 – 80%. If you set a goal of 50% than your students will probably pass with 30%)
Assess the situation
Assess the situation. How many non-passers do you have? Give out the real released test for practice. Make a list of all non-passers. Teachers need to focus on non-passers. If by February students passed the practice test, they will pass it later as well. However, if they are failing, teachers need to work with them. Passers can work on the computer, do projects, etc. Students that get it, get it. They will at least be mediocre and definitely pass.
Use real test for practice
Students need to see the test, feel the test, and take the real test. Get off the computer; test is not on the computer. Do not buy expensive programs to use. The best tool is the released test. Break down the test to the kids. Tutoring works. All day tutoring: before school, during school, and after school.
Tutoring
Set up an “Exemplary Center” – tutoring room. Mandatory tutoring. One-on-one for 1 hour every day – any kid will pass because of individualized instruction, undivided attention, and personalized teaching.
Prepare – morning tutoring, during school day tutoring, and after school tutoring. Buy people, retired teachers, to work with kids.
Prepare – morning tutoring, during school day tutoring, and after school tutoring. Buy people, retired teachers, to work with kids.
Test taking skills
The test is about how to take a test. Every period for 15 min teach test taking skills.
Assess weekly, not weakly
For the kids and the teachers not to get burned out – test out on Thursday and have a fun Friday. Decide on how many questions to test depending on how long is the period (5 questions) and 30 min of fun time on Friday.
Assessed with released questions
Assess only with released tests so students become familiar with the format. Students who pass – go to the gym for a dance with a DJ. Students who fail – go to the cafeteria next to the gym so music can be heard and listen to an hour long boring lecture by the principal. All students will pass next time.
Make it a competition
Make assessment scores a competition between classes. During a teacher meeting, pass out scores with teacher names attached to the number for all to see. Create test-ranking charts.
Use teaming for competition purpose. Divide the school and assign a part to the APs, counselor, etc. Tell them that their evaluation will be based solely on the performance of their student group.
Use teaming for competition purpose. Divide the school and assign a part to the APs, counselor, etc. Tell them that their evaluation will be based solely on the performance of their student group.
Right before the test
RIGHT before the test, because kids only start worrying about it last minute: Prepare for all test assessments with flair. Test camp 1 week before, Super Saturday, Test Academy 1 day before, Edu-Rap rally.
Be creative
Let teachers get creative on how they prepare non-passers.
Work with the electives teachers on the test preparation. Each student at the beginning of gym class (5 min) receives 3 questions. Everyone who answers correctly gets to play the game, have fun in class. If students do not pass those 3 questions, they do not get to play basketball or participate in any activity. Set them up outside the gym where they can here all the fun and let them work on the skills they missed. Next time those students will listen just a little better in class all will pass their warm up.
Work with the electives teachers on the test preparation. Each student at the beginning of gym class (5 min) receives 3 questions. Everyone who answers correctly gets to play the game, have fun in class. If students do not pass those 3 questions, they do not get to play basketball or participate in any activity. Set them up outside the gym where they can here all the fun and let them work on the skills they missed. Next time those students will listen just a little better in class all will pass their warm up.
Teach students to think
Teach students to think about the question and what it is asking. Get rid of multiple choice and give open-ended questions so you know what students are thinking.
Reading – what questions you want to ask, what is the process of getting the right answer, what is the right answer
Math – question – solution – the answer. Question is about setting up the equation and not finding the answer.
Give a math test – 4 versions so students cannot copy
Give a math test, students do not have to solve it but they have to write out the solution process but do not have to calculate it
Give a test – open-ended answers, no multiple choice for the 90% of the time (the rest of the 10%, students need to know how the real test will look like!)
Reading – what questions you want to ask, what is the process of getting the right answer, what is the right answer
Math – question – solution – the answer. Question is about setting up the equation and not finding the answer.
Give a math test – 4 versions so students cannot copy
Give a math test, students do not have to solve it but they have to write out the solution process but do not have to calculate it
Give a test – open-ended answers, no multiple choice for the 90% of the time (the rest of the 10%, students need to know how the real test will look like!)
On the day of the test
STAAR testing – use parent volunteers to monitor hallways during the testing. Teachers are free to do other things; parents see the stress and talk to other parents about bad behavior.