Gearing Up For Assessments

Every spring brings the heightened sense of discomfort in taking standardized tests.    Thankfully, at MRA we believe that a student's learning can be assessed through a multiple of non-traditional venues, as well as traditional testing.   It has been such a relief to teach in an environment where teachers are encouraged to evaluate students' learning through projects and uses of multiple intelligence.  However, our children are growing up in a world where they will have to learn how to pass standardized tests to obtain licenses for different career paths.  So, with that being said, I believe it's important that our students are exposed to and made aware of what standardized tests look and feel like.  For the next couple of weeks we will be taking practice tests during our computer times.  These will be done in a relaxed environment where they can ask all the questions they have and we will be modeling how to work through problems we get stuck on.  Please take time to walk through a few of these problems with your students and encourage them to ask questions.  Problem solving together can create stronger critical thinking skills.

Here is the website for the practice tests.  http://oaksportal.org/students/

Just select "guest school" and click on the grade level your student is in.  Then continue on to the practice tests.  Please let me know if you have any questions.