Question: This spring my daughter will be taking our state's standardized test. This is a very important test. If she does not pass it, she will be required to attend summer school, which will disrupt our family vacation. My child is only an average student. I am concerned that the teacher will not properly prepare her for this test. What should be happening in the classroom? And is there any extra help that I could give her at home? - Anxious
Answer: The curriculum that has been adopted by your school district should automatically be addressing the same material that the state's standardized test will be testing. This type of test is given to evaluate whether or not students have learned a set amount of material mandated by the state. Therefore, in the classroom, the teacher should be covering the test material. If your child is doing satisfactory work, she should do well on the test.
Knowing the content of the test is not the only factor in your daughter passing it. She must be familiar with the test format and have developed strategies to deal with this kind of test. Typically, teachers will give students similar tests under the same conditions so that your daughter will feel comfortable on the actual test day.
You should not have to do any specific work at home to prepare your daughter for these tests. However, if she is weak in any of the major test areas, you should ask the teacher what you could do at home to help your daughter improve in these areas.
Caution: Neither you nor the teacher should build this test up in your child's mind as so important that your daughter develops test anxiety. Her emotional state could adversely affect her score on the test.