Week 8, Blog 3 - Standardized Test Prep

The article is from the following site: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/how-to-make-standardized-test-prep-available-to-all-students.

With standardized testing being so prevalent in today’s educational field, this article provides some important ideas that can help teachers, schools, and students best prepare for the high-stakes tests.  The first strategy that Alexander provides is to have students read, read, read.  Not only should they be reading, but they should be reading with a focus on determining the tone, theme, structure, and purpose of the author.  If they do this, then they will be directing their reading, focusing it, and formulating an understanding of the overall piece.  From there, they’ll have a better chance at correctly answering the questions on the standardized test.  This idea is crucial.  It cannot just be about teaching students how to understand the plot of something.  I have to strive to teach my students how to think more dynamically about the works that they are reading.  If I can get students to read and think in a more complex manner, then the students will have a better chance at improving on the standardized tests.

Another strategy that is provided is for teachers to help students build their vocabularies.  This includes teaching them how to break down the words, use context clues, and so on.  One of the best ways to do this is to do think alouds.  Teachers need to show students how they can break down the words so that they can better understand the reading.  If students cannot decipher what words mean, then they will be unable to read effectively as they will be lost.  We cannot afford to have this happen.  Teachers have to instill within students a stronger vocabulary.  One other way that we can help improve their vocabulary is for students to use their smartphones when they encounter a word that they don’t understand.  They can look it up on their smartphone and have it defined for them immediately.  This should happen in the classroom.

One final strategy that she suggested was to have students do their own practicing.  This is huge.  Teachers and administrators have to make these test guides available to students.  Many are cheap and online.  The more students practice, the better they will do.  It has to be noted that it is not only the responsibility of the teachers and schools to prepare students for these tests; it is also the responsibility of the students and parents as well.

Alexander, Andrea. “Leveling the Playing Field: How to Make Standardized Test Preparation Accessible to All Students.”  6 July 2011.  Web.  Edutopia.org. 7 Aug. 2011.  <http://www.edutopia.org/blog/how-to-make-standardized-test-prep-available-to-all-students>.