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Standardized Testing
Next week, all Middle School students will be taking standardized tests; fifth, sixth and seventh graders will test Tuesday through Thursday, and eighth graders will test on Friday. As you may know, we administer ERB tests to our Lower and Middle School students through grade seven. Unlike state testing, the ERBs are designed to give us feedback on a wide range of students and give us information that differentiates between students at the very top of the percentile range. For more information on the ERBs, see http://www.erbtest.org/schools/achievement/ctp4.
Eighth grade students, on the other hand, will take the EXPLORE standardized test on Friday morning. This will be the first standardized test that is given to them in a college entrance exam style; that is, they sit for three hours (similar to the SAT or ACT) and take a test that measures their readiness for college. We have found this quite helpful, as in addition to beginning their preparation for college entrance exams there is also an interest inventory that may give the students a sense of possible careers that may appeal to them. You can access more information at http://www.act.org/explore/.
We would like parents to take a few steps in order to help their children prepare for these tests. First, please help them track down a couple of #2 pencils and a calculator. We will have a limited supply of each if your child forgets, but we can't guarantee a calculator for every student if many neglect to bring one. Second, please help your child get to bed a bit early next week and encourage him or her to eat a healthy breakfast. Rest and nutrition are keys to academic success in general and will unquestionably help them test next week.
And finally, a quick word of advice for all parents. Please read the information sent home with test results in June--it will help you better understand and interpret the results. And remember that all standardized tests are merely a snapshot of how your child performs on a particular test on a particular day. Education, and your child, are much more than that!
Eighth grade students, on the other hand, will take the EXPLORE standardized test on Friday morning. This will be the first standardized test that is given to them in a college entrance exam style; that is, they sit for three hours (similar to the SAT or ACT) and take a test that measures their readiness for college. We have found this quite helpful, as in addition to beginning their preparation for college entrance exams there is also an interest inventory that may give the students a sense of possible careers that may appeal to them. You can access more information at http://www.act.org/explore/.
We would like parents to take a few steps in order to help their children prepare for these tests. First, please help them track down a couple of #2 pencils and a calculator. We will have a limited supply of each if your child forgets, but we can't guarantee a calculator for every student if many neglect to bring one. Second, please help your child get to bed a bit early next week and encourage him or her to eat a healthy breakfast. Rest and nutrition are keys to academic success in general and will unquestionably help them test next week.
And finally, a quick word of advice for all parents. Please read the information sent home with test results in June--it will help you better understand and interpret the results. And remember that all standardized tests are merely a snapshot of how your child performs on a particular test on a particular day. Education, and your child, are much more than that!
2051 Larpenteur Ave E
St. Paul, MN 55109
651.777.2555