Testing

State Tests: Tips for Parents and Students

state tests

Every spring, students participate in state tests to make sure learning is on track and students are receiving a quality education.  For students in online schools, state tests are important to for their individual program as well as their school as a whole and it’s required that all students complete state testing.

These tests are designed to be a reflection of the learning that took place throughout the school year and measure performance based on state learning standards. As parents and educators, we want to have the satisfaction of ensuring our students are proficient on the grade appropriate standards in their state.

K12 students have been preparing for the state assessments throughout the year by simply completing the K12 Curriculum, attending their online classes known as ClassConnect Sessions, and completing study assignments through their online program, Study Island Pathways. The Study Island experience assists students with the practice and vocabulary needed to further their success.

It’s important for students and parents to remember that learning has taken place all year and try not worry about taking state tests. Here are some additional tips from K12’s Director of School Counseling Programs, Laurel Barrette:

  • Relax, focus, and be positive. Get you’re head in the game!
  • First choice is usually right
  • Look out for key words
  • Read carefully
  • Write neatly
  • Don’t spend too much time on any one question
  • Never leave it blank – if multiple choice and out of time or absolutely don’t know, try ‘C’
  • Do not rush
  • Go over answers at least twice if you have time

Above all, students should stay calm and simply do their best work and watch for important information from school officials prior to testing and inquire with teachers about any questions. And parents should remember that testing, ultimately, is a good thing for students and schools. K12’s Chief Academic Officer Margie Jorgensen, who has been building improved testing models over the course of her career to better measure individual student success, says, “I love tests because if they’re well built they can ferret out the weaknesses and strengths of students that can often be invisible to teachers without a precise measurement.”

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