NOTES FROM THE HEAD OF THE MIDDLE SCHOOL
HIGH STAKES TESTING
VS NO STAKES TESTING and THE ERB’S
We have all heard
horror stories about the requirement that a student pass a state administered
exam in order to graduate from high school. This type of assessment is
called a High Stakes Test. It causes anxiety and many other problems for
students and families in preparing for it, taking it, and waiting for the
results. The opposite of a High Stakes Test is a No Stakes Test. A No
Stakes Test is an assessment that the person who is taking it feels will have
no effect on his/her life. An example of a No Stakes Test is an aptitude
test like the Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test that is used to evaluate readiness to
enroll in an algebra course. While students may see a test as No Stakes,
that is not the case. Assessments are given with a purpose in mind, not
simply to consume time. Therefore, the data that the test generates will
be used in some way that WILL AFFECT the test taker's life. The ERB is
one such test. Increasingly over the years we hear students talking about
how this assessment has no impact on their life. NOTHING COULD
BE FARTHER FROM THE TRUTH!
The high schools to
which our students will be applying for grades 9 – 12 use these results as a
prime indicator of student achievement. The standardized number gives
them something to compare Hancock students with students from other middle
schools. Achieving results year after year that accurately reflect
student accomplishment is critical. For our 8th grade
students this will be one of the numbers held in high regard when the high
school is making level placements for ninth grade. At Hancock we use the
results to place students in the correct level of math. For sixth grade
students this will be one of 5 factors that will help us accurately create our
Pre-Algebra and Algebra classes next year.
Long story short, the
ERB is FAR from a No Stakes Test. While no one will fail to graduate from
HDS for a low ERB score, the data the test generates will have a major impact
on a student’s academic life over the next several years. Hence, students
must put themselves is a position to succeed by coming prepared to do their
best on the ERB’s.
How a student comes
prepared for the ERB:
· Make
sure your child gets enough sleep each night.
· Avoid scheduling medical or dental appointments on testing days.
· Bring your child to school on time. Rise early so you aren't rushed.
· Prepare a good, hearty breakfast for your child to help with energy and brain power.
· Send TWO nutritious snacks on each day of testing as the Middle School will have two breaks each day.
· Offer positive encouragement as you send your child to school each morning. Be calm and cheerful; they take cues from you!
· Avoid scheduling medical or dental appointments on testing days.
· Bring your child to school on time. Rise early so you aren't rushed.
· Prepare a good, hearty breakfast for your child to help with energy and brain power.
· Send TWO nutritious snacks on each day of testing as the Middle School will have two breaks each day.
· Offer positive encouragement as you send your child to school each morning. Be calm and cheerful; they take cues from you!
In order not to put additional stress on students, Middle School assignments will be severely curtailed between Tuesday and Friday of next week. As previously reported, there will be assessments given on Monday, April 13th and Monday, April 20th. Monday’s schedule is included with this post.
We hope that everyone will be in top form next week and are accurately assessed!
Soccer
Our HDS Soccer season is well underway with a boys game against The Habersham School on Tuesday, April 14th at 5:45 at Bible Baptist. Please come out to show your support!
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| Both teams fought hard against Savannah Christian this week! |
