Getting Ready for Tests at the High School Level

April 2009

Presenters Lorraine Gurrola, Golden Hill School, K-8Lori LaPointe, San Diego High Complex

Getting Your School Ready

for Testing

Communicating with Parents about Testing

Preparing Your School’s Testing

Environment

Encouraging Students to Try

Their Best

Communicating with Parents About Testing

Newsletters/School Website

Testing presentation at parent meetings

Testing Information Flyer Testing Window / Testing Hours Tardy/Absence Procedures Tips: What Parents Can Do at Home

What is the CST?

The CST in English Language Arts (ELA) is given to all students in grades 2-11.

A grade-level CST in Mathematics is given to students in grades 2-7. Grade 7 students enrolled in an Algebra course take the

Algebra I CST

A course-specific CST in Mathematics is given to students in grades 8-11.

The California Standards Tests (CSTs) are designed to measure how well students are meeting the State Content Standards.

What is the CST? (cont’d)

A grade-level CST in History/Social Science is given to students in grades 8 and 11.

A course-specific CST in World History is given to students in grades 9-11 who are enrolled in a World History course.

A grade-level CST in Science is given to all students in grades 5, 8, and 10.

A course-specific CST in Science is given to students in grades 9-11.

More about the CST. . .

Most of the questions are in multiple-choice format and students select the correct answer from four possible choices.

The California Performance Levels are: Advanced, Proficient, Basic, Below Basic, and Far Below Basic.

To meet the State Standards, students must reach the Proficient level or above.

What is the CAPA?

The California Alternate Performance Assessment (CAPA) is a performance assessment developed for students with moderate or profound disabilities who are unable to participate in more traditional assessment.

This assessment, which is for students who are receiving primarily a functional or life skills curriculum, is individually administered by a trained, certificated staff member familiar with the student.

What is the CAHSEE? (California High School Exit Exam)

State law requires all students in California public schools pass the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) to receive a high school diploma.

The purpose of the CAHSEE is to: Improve student achievement in high school Ensure that students who graduate from high

school can demonstrate that they have met state content standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics, as adopted by the State Board of Education.

The CAHSEE is divided into two parts: English Language Arts and Mathematics

The English Language Arts part of the exam addresses state content standards through Grade 10. It consists of multiple-choice questions and an essay.

The Reading portion of the exam covers vocabulary, informational reading, and reading literature.

The Mathematics portion of the exam addresses state standards from Grades 6 - 8, including algebra. It consists of multiple-choice questions that cover number sense, algebra and functions, measurement and geometry, and probability and statistics.

Students have one opportunity in the 10th grade to pass the CAHSEE.

If they pass one or two parts of the CAHSEE, then they don’t have to take those parts again.

If they don’t pass the CAHSEE in 10th grade then students have:

TWO additional opportunities to retake the exam during 11th grade, and;

THREE opportunities in 12th grade.

Parents Please Note:

Students who do not pass the CAHSEE by May of their senior year will not be able to participate in the June graduation ceremony.

However, students will receive a diploma if they pass the CAHSEE in May.

No matter what grades students receive in high school, if they don’t pass the CAHSEE they will not receive a high school diploma.

IMPORTANT

What Parents Can Do At Home

Start talking with your son/daughter about testing.

Acknowledge test-taking anxiety as normal.

Encourage your student to think positive thoughts like: “I can do this.”

Review test-taking tips with your son/daughter.

The Night Before the Test…

Limit your son/daughter’s activity before bedtime.

Make sure he/she goes to bed at a reasonable time.

Let your son/daughter know that you think he/she will do well on the test.

The Morning of the Test…

Make sure your son/daughter has breakfast at home or at school.

Dress your him/her in comfortable clothing.

Make sure your he/she gets to school on time.

Tell your son/daughter that you love him/her and encourage them to try their best.

After the Test…

Talk with your son/daughter about what was learned from the test.

Reward him/her for trying hard on the test. When you receive your student’s test

results: Don’t compare his/her performance with other

students. Point out his/her strong areas and how proud

you are. Talk about the areas of need and how the family

can work together to improve these areas.

Preparing Your School’s Testing Environment

School Marquee Testing Banner Encouragement Banners from Parents/Staff

Collect signatures at parent meetings, before and after school Post banners near the school entrance

Motivational Posters Positive messages, post in hallways, cafeteria, etc.

Provide student Incentives such as Ipods (WOW!)

Encouraging Students to Try Their Best

Testing Kick-off during Advisory period Test-taking Tips PowerPoint Presentation in a

classroom setting Best Attendance Incentive

Reward for the classroom in each grade level with best attendance during testing

Testing Survival Kit for students

TEST-TAKING TIPS for STUDENTS:Make the Best Use of Your Time

If the test is timed, pace yourself appropriately. Answer the easy questions first. If you’re stumped by a question, go on with the

test: Come back to the question you skipped later. Make a note on scratch paper of the questions

you want to go back to. After skipping a question, make sure you skip

the answer space too. Check that the question number corresponds

to where you marked your answer. If you finish early, over your answers again.

Make Fewer Mistakes

Read all directions to be sure you understand what to do.

Ask the teacher giving the test for help if you do not understand the directions.

Read the WHOLE question before looking at the answer choices.

Read all the answer choices before selecting your answer.

Guessing

Don’t make wild guesses. If you don’t know the answer,

eliminate the answers you know are wrong.

Don’t leave any questions blank.

Remember, there will not be a pattern of correct answer choices.

More Test-Taking Tips

For Reading Comprehension sections, scan the questions BEFORE you read the passage.

Trust your first answer but change an answer if you feel you must.

Be sure to bubble in answers properly. If you finish early, go back and check

your answers.

Testing Survival Kit

Smarties candy - to remind you of how smart you are and to boost your test taking brain power.

A pencil - to record the things you learn

A pencil grip - to “get a grip” on the task at hand.

An eraser - to help you erase your mistakes (we all make them!)

A coupon (ice cream, burger, etc.) - to reward yourself after you complete the test.

A Hershey’s Kiss - for all the hard work you put into testing.