Standardized Testing Tips To Set Students Up For Success

School testing time is here in the Upper Cumberland and parents should stay calm to best prepare their children.

That’s according to Putnam County District Testing Coordinator Judy Schinbeckler. Schinbeckler said standardized tests are based on what has been taught over the whole school year.

“We do not want our students stressing over it but we also don’t want our parents stressing over it,” Schinbeckler said. “So when our parents remain calm, they do not put an over amount of importance on testing, then our students seem to be more calm as well.”

Schinbeckler said the best preparation is a good night of sleep, a good breakfast and getting students to school on time. She said that while testing data is valuable to tracking a students progress, it does not define who they are as a student.

“We do not want children to feel rushed on test days,” Schinbeckler said. “We want them to be able to come to school, take their time and not be stressed.”

Schinbeckler said that teachers will be held harmless when it comes to testing scores this year. However, the tests are still important for students this year to see how they’ve handled school during the pandemic.

“We will be using this testing data for students,” Schinbeckler said. “We just need the information to see where and how we need to better support these students.”

Schinbeckler said the best role that parents can take during this time is to be encouraging and not apply pressure. She said that students become nervous about standardized testing all the way down to elementary age.