SPED 2 Portfolio: Preparing Students for Tests

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 Preparing students for assessment is an important part of a successful assessment. There are so many variables that could influence the outcomes of assessment such as the tool or language. By preparing students for assessment, teachers can not only alleviate anxiety but also ensure that the form of assessment is an accurate portrayal of a student's understanding of a topic or unit. 

According to Allen Bacon, there are a few ways teachers can make sure students are prepared for assessment. They include:

• criteria are developed WITH students
• students use sets of criteria to self-assess, reflect, and set goals
• assessment methods are matched to the type of outcomes being assessed
• summative assessments are made only after sufficient practice and are based on the most accomplished work

Strategies for test-taking such as standardized test or unit tests can also be helpful for students and teachers. Health Wolper-Gawron (2017) compiled a list of helpful strategies for preparing students for tests. 

Using technology:

• Utilize technology for practice quizzes and teach students to locate "read to me" tool icon on devices before starting a test
• Practice using tools like copy and paste in-class assignments, so that students know how to do if asked to do so on a test
• Create interactive assignments for students where students engage with hypertext, manipulate documents, watch videos, etc.

Teaching Test Language:

Image courtesy of Marzano et al., 1994


• Make a list of keywords used on a test and what they mean. 

The chart above can be a great tool for referring to when planning and designing for a test and for deciding which terms to teach students. The table was adapted from Assessing Student Outcomes by Robert J. Marzano.

Other strategies:

• Use formative assessment to see what students need more support to learn and spend more time on that
• Show students data such as a score from a previous test and help them set an achievable goal 
• Teach students strategies for when they get stuck such as visualizing a sentence or passage, activating prior knowledge and making connections, chunking text and tackling bit by bit.
• provide students with words of encouragement, literally. Put words of encouragement on a flashcard and stick it to their desks prior to a test.  

                                                                                    (Walport-Gawron, 2017)

It's also important to teach students to have a growth mindset so that they can learn from their mistakes if they do happen to make some. It's okay to make mistakes!

References:

Bacon, A. (1993). Principles for fair student assessment practices for education in Canada. Joint Advisory Committee.

Marzano, R. J. (1993). Assessing student outcomes. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Wolpert-Gawron, H. (2017, March 15). Test Prep Doesn't Have to Be Overwhelming. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/blog/preparing-students-state-standardized-tests.