The kids took the SAT testing this past

iVillage Member

Registered: 03-19-2003

9	Mon, 04-14-2003 - 7:22am

week and now I find out they have to take another full week of testing in May. WV does the SAT 9 every year, but this is the last year they are using it. They chose several schools in the state to do a pilot test of the new test and our school was chosen. So the kid have to spend ANOTHER week on testing. Testing week is always a big production here. They send home letters telling us to make them get enough sleep, make sure they eat breakfast, etc.(Like they shouldn't be doing that EVERY day!). Then they even provide the whole school with a mid-morning snack on test day.

Does your school do standardized testing? Do you put much store in the scores or just tell your kids to do their best and not worry about it?

Sherri

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jwillis4

iVillage Member

Registered: 04-08-2003

In reply to: cl_frugal_mom_of2

The kids took the SAT testing this past

Mon, 04-14-2003 - 9:54am

Wow, the SAT already. We have a state test at the end of the month and the school is already making big deal out of it. I think the teachers get so hyper that the kids freak more than need be. Of course our campus has recieved top scores every year so the teachers think they have to keep the pressure on. Actually it is important because if a kid fails the test they fail the year which, imo, isn't right. Dd is more worried about her best friend failing more than her own scores. The school just started afternoon tutorials to cram for the test - so why didn't they notice all those kids failing earlier instead of waiting until the last minute, but hey, they didn't ask my opinion.

BTW, the board was v-e-r-y s-l-o-w loading this morning and it froze twice.

trekmomma

iVillage Member

Registered: 03-26-2003

In reply to: cl_frugal_mom_of2

The kids took the SAT testing this past

Sat, 04-19-2003 - 11:43am

In my state we have testing called Connecticut Mastery tests, it takes over a week or so. They send the same notes home. The SAT's are for high shool aged students here. I have a gifted student who took this test in 8th grade and scored better than most graduating seniors. It was with John Hopkins, and she got an award in a ceremony. I think they like to tell you to make sure they get a good night's rest and breakfast because they want to reassure the kids to not be nervous. My son's teacher told them that was their "preperation" for the test! Our CT Mastery test is done at the beginning of the year to test what they learned the year before. Maybe your school does it at the end to see if they learned everything they needed to learn. The test shows the school what subjects need more effort or more attention. I have always told my kids the test is "a Piece of cake" and just do your best. Some kids test well, some kids freeze. Standardized tests are not for everyone but until they can find something better I suppose we are stuck with it.

cl_janetlh

iVillage Member

Registered: 03-19-2003

In reply to: cl_frugal_mom_of2

The kids took the SAT testing this past

Sun, 04-20-2003 - 9:08pm

Our kids take different standardized tests. One is the Pennsylvania PSSA, which is given certain years, including this year in 5th grade. It's required by the state of PA. We got the same note about sleep and breakfast ;-) They also take other standardized tests. I remember Metropolitan, ERBs, I can't keep up. I think they only test once a year, or maybe once in the fall and once in the spring. The tests are mostly used to see where our programs could be made stronger, or so we're told. Our district doesn't have any trouble with students meeting PA requirements, and the students as a whole max out the standard public school tests, so our district uses tests mostly administered by private schools. At least this is the line they feed us...

They tell the kids to do their best, and that what is being tested is how well the material is being taught to them. I don't stress them at all at home.

Janet

ga_hs_mom

iVillage Member

Registered: 03-26-2003

In reply to: cl_frugal_mom_of2

The kids took the SAT testing this past

Mon, 04-21-2003 - 10:08am

my kids take the CAT - another form of standardized test, but not until may. each of my kids react differently to standardized testing. i have one who loves taking them, sees it as a game or something. dd, on the other hand, makes herself so nervous that is a wonder she can hold the pencil. i don't believe in 'teaching to the test' - i want the test to show an accurate account of where my child is so that i will know what i need to work on w/him or her. i do, however, try to help dd practice on focusing and relaxing. i remind her often that it is only one test and wont change her life !

personally, i really hate standardized testing. there are many forms of intelligence and some very bright people just dont test well ! jmo ~ irena

digger30

iVillage Member

Registered: 03-26-2003

In reply to: cl_frugal_mom_of2

The kids took the SAT testing this past

Mon, 04-21-2003 - 10:15am

Our kids do ISTEP. They do it in 3rd, 6th, 8th,(I think) and 10th. Then have to pass a graduation exam also. Our school used to do another testing for the kids in non ISTEP grade but don't anymore. I like seeing the results just to see how they are doing in each area but I know where their strong and weak areas are anyway. When the ISTEP results came out, I got on line and was researching how the other schools in our area did just to see how our school overall compares to others. They did very well. The dumb thing is that they give this test in the fall like 3-4 weeks after school has started. I've heard people say that it doesn't test what they know but what they've forgotten over the summer. Most states do it in the spring but not backward Indiana!

Dawn

cl_janetlh

iVillage Member

Registered: 03-19-2003

In reply to: cl_frugal_mom_of2

The kids took the SAT testing this past

Mon, 04-21-2003 - 11:04am

Irena, don't you home-school? Is this a state requirement for you to have your kids tested, or something you find helpful? Just curious!

Janet

ga_hs_mom

iVillage Member

Registered: 03-26-2003

In reply to: cl_frugal_mom_of2

The kids took the SAT testing this past

Tue, 04-22-2003 - 10:09am

yes, we homeschool and yes, it is a state requirement in certain grades but i test my kids each yr just to help me to keep up with where they are, where they need to be and to have concrete evidence 'just in case' i am ever questioned by the school board about what we are doing ! homeschooling is legal in every state, but each state has there own laws and requirements that vary greatly ! ~ irena

suzyk2118

iVillage Member

Registered: 07-30-1997

In reply to: cl_frugal_mom_of2

The kids took the SAT testing this past

Tue, 04-22-2003 - 10:49am

In 2nd and now in 5th, the school gives Terra Nova testing. In 3rd and 4th it was the Missouri state test. They're doing the Terra Nova as I type, as a matter of fact (this week, 4 days of testing); ds said yesterday's segment (about 2-3 hours in chunks) was language arts and had a TON of questions. He found it pretty easy, but just long and tedious. I hope today's section is something he enjoys more!

Sue

keke0116

iVillage Member

Registered: 03-26-2003

In reply to: cl_frugal_mom_of2

The kids took the SAT testing this past

Fri, 04-25-2003 - 8:01pm

Our school puts TOO MUCH emphasis on testing. The schools are 'graded' based on the results of the testing, and that determines funding for the schools. Testing is in Feb, and they spend the beginning of the year up until that point 'teaching' basically for that test. It really floors me. Don't even get me going on that subject. I tell my kids to do their best. Supposedly, if the kids don't get a certain score on that exam, they can't be promoted to the next grade level ... even if they have good/acceptable grades throughout the year. That's crap 'cause some kids just don't test well, and especially when so much pressure is put on them, it wouldn't be unlikely that really bright kids blow an exam. I had no problem with testing and measuring and all of that. It's just the pressure and emphasis on this ONE EXAM really burns me up.

Nancy

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