Transcript Effective Parent/Teacher Conferences

Tips to Help Your Child
Succeed on Standardized Tests
Baltimore County Public Schools
Department of Professional Development
Parent Support Services
September 2011
1
Objectives
By the end of this presentation participants
will be able to:
• Review standardized tests required by
the Maryland State Department of
Education
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Objectives - continued
By the end of this presentation participants
will be able to:
• Identify parent involvement practices that
prepare students for success on
important tests.
• Access resources that support learning at
home.
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Reason for Standardized
Testing
Standardized tests:
• Measure students’ academic
progress.
• Evaluate a school’s performance.
• Identify information that can help
teachers and parents better support
students’ school work.
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Maryland State Assessment
MSA
http://www.mdk12.org/assessments/k_8/index_c.html
• Reading and math tests given statewide
to students in grades 3-8.
• A science test is given to students in
grades 5 and 8.
• MSA is required by the federal No Child
Left Behind Act.
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Maryland State Assessment
MSA:
• Includes multiple-choice, short
answer, and long answer questions.
• Measures how well students have
learned the curriculum.
• Produces scores for students,
schools, districts, and the state.
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MSA and Students with
Special Needs
MSA:
• Accommodations
• Mod-MSA
• Alt-MSA
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Maryland High School
Assessments (HSA)
HSA:
• Algebra/Data Analysis
• Biology
• English
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Attendance Counts!
Make sure your child attends school every
day.
• Schedule appointments during afterschool hours.
• Plan vacations during school breaks.
• Model being on time.
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Good Health = Good Test Scores
• Encourage your child to eat a
nutritious breakfast every day.
• Establish a regular routine for
bedtime.
• Encourage daily exercise.
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Read! Read! Read!
Strong reading skills are important for
test success:
• Comprehension
• Fluency
• Vocabulary
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Relieve Test Anxiety
Share the following tips with your child:
• Read the directions – carefully.
• Skim quickly through the test.
• Limit your time when stuck on a
question; you can go back to it.
• Remember how well you have done in
the past.
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Test Results
• School systems send test reports out
over the summer.
• Reports contain MSA results for your
child, your child’s school, BCPS, and
the state.
• A Parent’s Guide to the MSA includes
a detailed sample score report.
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Tips for Creating a Home Environment
That Encourages Learning
• Insure homework completion.
– Helping With Homework
– Homework and Study Skills Checklist
• Know what your child is learning in school.
– Articulated Instruction Module K-12
• Ask questions that encourage your child to think.
– Monthly Learning Calendar for Families
• Introduce your child to a variety of learning opportunities.
– Science Family Day Trips
– Social Studies Family Day Trips
• Model being on time.
– A Year of Parent Involvement
• Share your own experiences.
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Family Learning Practices
• Set high expectations for your child.
Make it clear that school should be
priority #1.
• Help your child set learning goals.
• Be positive about school.
• Celebrate success.
Review the Reflecting on Your Involvement handout.
What would you add or delete so that your
involvement supports preparing your child for
standardized tests?
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Additional Resources
 Baltimore County Public Schools’ Parent Support
Services
 Baltimore County Public Schools’ Curriculum &
Instruction
 Baltimore County Public Schools’ Library
Information Services-Student Resources
 Baltimore County Public Schools’ Math Homework
Helpers
 Baltimore County Public Schools’ SAT Review
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Reference
• Maryland State Department of
Education (revised July 2009), A Parent’s
Guide to the MSA (Maryland
Classroom Vol. 13, No. 1). Baltimore,
Maryland.
http://www.MarylandPublicSchools.org
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Contact Information
Department of Professional Development
Parent Support Services
410-887-0365
http://www.bcps.org/offices/dpd/pss.html
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