From the Kansas State Commissioner of Education

Time to test: Are the students ready?

Freezing rain, sleet, snow, tornadoes, floods, and even the closing of major industries have hit our state hard this past year. However, whether Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow or not, spring is just around the corner. Just as in most states, it’s also time for students to take part in the Kansas State Assessments starting at the end of February.

As many of you are aware, we assess students in reading and mathematics in grades 3 through 8, and once in high school. Additionally this year, we will be assessing students in the area of science in grades 4 and 7, in history/government in grades 6 and 8, and in both science and history/government, once in high school usually after completion of specific high school courses.

The updated 2007-2008 testing dates for Kansas public schools can be found at the State Department of Education’s Web site at www.ksde.org. Generally speaking, schools will have students take part in the assessments within the following dates:

Reading and Mathematics:
February 18, 2008, through April 14, 2008

Science and History/Government:
March 17, 2008, through May 9, 2008

The Kansas State Assessments are what Kansas uses to determine whether or not a student meets standards in the specific areas tested. It also provides teachers with one part of the picture regarding a child’s strengths and weaknesses. These results combined with other tools—such as evaluating day-to-day class work, grading homework, observing in the classroom and keeping track of how students change and grow throughout the year—are all used to measure a child’s progress and assist teachers in gaining insights into the skills, abilities and knowledge of every child. Additionally, these assessments assist parents and educators in finding out how much students have learned relative to the Kansas Academic Standards. A child’s grade level standards can be viewed at: http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1641.

To help students prepare for the upcoming assessments and to reduce their anxiety, the following tips are offered:
Encourage children to take these tests seriously. However, don’t become too anxious about a child’s test score; too much emphasis on a test score can be upsetting. Additionally, test scores are not perfect measures of what a child can do.

Space studying over days or weeks. There is no need for children to “cram” the night before testing, as it may only increase their anxiety which interferes with clear thinking.
Have the child get a good night’s sleep.
Ensure they are well-rested and have eaten a good breakfast as both are important to test-taking just as they are to other school work.
Have the child look quickly at the entire assessment to see what types of questions are included. This also helps children understand how to pace themselves.
Stress the importance of reading the directions carefully and reading each question carefully. Additionally, if the child doesn’t understand the directions, he or she should ask the teacher to explain.
Ask the child to give their best guess instead of leaving questions unanswered.
Of course, the most important thing for all students to remember is to simply do their best! By encouraging and praising them for things they do well, they will feel good about themselves and will do their best.

Alexa Posny
Kansas Commissioner of Education