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It’s time to plan for test season and a little positive reinforcement goes a long way to motivate and encourage students at test time. Administrators share these best practices:
Pre-Test
- Involve parents early. Use Connect-ED or written notification about upcoming tests. Give tips on what they can do to help their child succeed.
- Remind teachers to be enthusiastic about test time – students will feed off their energy.
- Post motivational messages on campus and the school marquee.
- Plan an ASB campaign with assemblies, pep rallies, posters, etc.
- Hold a Test-Taking Tips workshop for students, including anxiety control, physical readiness, etc.
- Highlight food and beverage lunch items as “brain power” for studying.
- Offer practice questions during Advisory period or after school.
- On test day, have staff wear “Ask Me” buttons to answer questions about testing procedures, offer words of encouragement to students and alleviate anxieties.
- Set targets for advancing to the next performance level and reward students for reaching and/or exceeding targets (field trips, student events, etc.).
- Start a VIP program with special privileges for students who raise their performance level over two years.
Published with support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation Grant.