If you’re like most teachers, you’ve been spending countless hours prepping your students for this year’s round of state testing. Whether you agree with it or not, state testing has become the primary method for ranking schools in our nation. And in this time of funding cuts and lay-offs, if your students don’t perform well, you may be out of a job. I know I feel the pressure with my group of talkative, active kiddos.
Lucky for me, I work with a group of teachers that share and pool resources so all our student can succeed. But what if you’re not so lucky? Here are some resources that might help:
- Buckle Down – While not free, these grade-specific books are a great resource of student and teacher workbooks that correlate directly with your own state’s standards and tests.
- Your state department Web site – Most states offer practice and sample tests that you can print for your students as you prepare for the yearly tests.
- EDinformatics – This site offers a listing of many states’ former tests that can be printed for sample and practice test questions.
Now, when it comes down to time to take the test, it’s up to your students to take their time and do their best. But if you’ve done your part in preparing them, you should have no fear. But be sure to pump up your class, offer them reasonable rewards for meeting their goals, and don’t put too much pressure on them. And good luck!
If you have strategies that have worked in the past, be sure to share!
