Tips For Standardized Test Success (NAPSA)—Chances are good your child will be required to take a standardized test each academic year or every other year. Not only do states and school districts use tests to evaluate schools and teachers, they also look carefully at test scores when deciding whether a child should advance to the next grade. Whatever the policies are in your state and school district, the critical role of parents is to prepare young learners for testing challenges that lie ahead. “Testing has become an integral part of American education. More and more states are requiring testing proficiency for promotion and graduation, and parents need to help prepare their children for these exams,” states Richard Bavaria, Ph.D., vice president of education for Sylvan Learning Center. Sylvan Learning Center offers the following do’s and don’ts to help children prepare for exams: DO make sure your child completes homework assignments and class projects. Because tests reflect overall achievement, the more effort your child puts into learning, the more likely he will do well on tests. DON’Tjudge your child on the basis of one test score. Test scores are not perfect measures of what your child can achieve, and a variety of factors can influence a test score. DO, however, use your child’s test results to chart her academic progress. Educational assessments are among the best diagnostic tools educators and parents have at their disposal. By using test results wisely, both you and yourchild’s teacher can build a customized learning program with homeactivities to help your child succeed. Preparation can make a big difference in how your child performs on standardized tests. DO support your child. Praise her for what she does well. When your child feels good about herself, she will do her best. DO provide books and magazines for your child to read at home. Reading new materials can encourage your child to learn new words that might appear on a test. For a suggested age- appropriate reading list, visit www.bookadventure.org. DON’T allow your child to skimp on sleep or skip breakfast. Make sure that your child is well rested and eats a well-balanced breakfast on school days and especially test days. A well-rested, healthy body leads to a healthy, active mind. Parents who are interested in a state test prep course for their child should call 1-800-31-SUCCESSor visit www.educate.com/info to learn more about Sylvan State Test Preparation.
