It’s a Covert Operation! Engaging Students During Standardized Testing
A quick tip for teachers and testing coordinators is to ensure that no matter which assessment your state is offering, there will likely be accessibility features and accommodations that support students. However, these are often overlooked for general education students or those who do not have a 504 or IEP (Individualized Education Plan). It’s not too late!
While every state in the nation is required to offer some standardized assessment beginning no later than grade 3, the SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessment) and PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness) are two assessments used by multiple states to assess the Common Core State Standards. For these two assessments, you can find those accessibility features here:
Partnership for Assessment of Readiness
Curious to see which assessments each state is offering? Check out this list below.
Finally, part of ensuring access for all students on these assessments is also considering the environment that students are testing in. Consider these ideas:
Small Group Testing - If the school can accommodate, it can be beneficial to split classes into smaller groups for testing to allow for less distraction. This also allows for specialized groupings and testing breaks.
Remove Clutter & Other Distractions - If possible, try to minimize distractions of clutter and disorganization in the classroom. Give students an opportunity to organize their own spaces before testing begins.
Surround Students with Motivations - Instead of removing instructional materials from the walls, consider having the school community (especially younger grades) create motivational posters that can cover the walls.
Consider Outside Distractions - Try to avoid scheduling recess or other distracting activities outside of the testing classrooms. Hearing the “fun” happening outside of testing walls can be very disheartening and distracting to the students.
