Santa Ana Unified School DistrictSanta Ana Unified School DistrictDept. of Research and EvaluationDept. of Research and Evaluation

Preparing Your Child for Testing

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Presentation GoalsPresentation Goals

By the end of this presentation…

You will know how to help your child prepare for testing

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Think back to when you were a Think back to when you were a young student. . .young student. . .

What do you remember about the tests you took?◦What kinds of tests did you take?◦How did you feel?◦What was learned from the tests you

took?

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Q: Q: WhatWhat tests do we administer in tests do we administer in Santa Ana Unified School District?Santa Ana Unified School District?

Standardized Testing And Reporting California Standards Test (CST) (our

focus today)California Modified Assessment (CMA) California Alternate Performance Assessment

(CAPA)Standards Based Test in Spanish (STS)

(Your child may have taken one or more tests)Early Assessment Program (EAP)

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WhenWhen and and WhereWhere??

Q: When Does My Child Take the Tests?A: STAR is every Spring

Q: Where Does My Child Take the Tests?A: STAR tests are administered at your child’s

home school

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Q: Q: How How Are STAR Results Used to Help Are STAR Results Used to Help Students?Students?

Answer: STAR -Identify Academic Strengths and Needs-Meetings with Teachers-Alignment to Standards-California Reading List-A More Complete Picture

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Q: Q: What What mightmight the test look like?the test look like?

Let’s see what it looks like . . . And let’s try a few

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Let’s try an example. . .Let’s try an example. . .What do our children need to know?What do our children need to know?How are they tested?How are they tested?

In 5th grade students must be able to:

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From the 5th Grade CST in Mathematics. . .

What is the correct answer?

A.

B.

C.

D.

Now, something a little harder. . .Now, something a little harder. . .

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Standardized tests look different Standardized tests look different from regular classroom testsfrom regular classroom tests

•Students will be asked to read questions in a test book and, then, mark their answer in the same book or on an answer document•Students must follow directions for making allowable marks•Neatness is important

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The STAR Student Report

You should receive your STAR Student Report in the mail in September. A guide in multiple

languages also comes with the Student Report.

Your student’s current teacher also has your child’s STAR results so that he/she can assist

your student better.

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STAR Student Report STAR Student Report (Sample)(Sample)

Source: California Department of Education (CDE)

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STAR Student Report STAR Student Report (Sample)(Sample)

Source: California Department of Education (CDE)

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STAR Student Report STAR Student Report (Sample)(Sample)

Source: California Department of Education (CDE)

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What Does the Scale Score What Does the Scale Score Tell Us?Tell Us?A scale score is a number that

tells you more information about how a student did on the CST.

Scale scores range between 150 (low) to a 600 (high).

Scale scores determine the performance level and tell us how close the student is to the next performance level

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What does the What does the Performance Level Mean?Performance Level Mean?

The performance level tells you how your student is doing based on the California standards, which is what the state

identified as expectations for each grade level.

Advanced: Approximately one or more grade levels ABOVE the grade level at the time of test.Proficient: Approximately AT grade level at the time of the testBasic: Approximately one grade level BELOW the grade level during the testBelow Basic: Approximately two grade levels BELOW the grade level during the testFar Below Basic: Approximately three or more grade levels BELOW the grade level at the time of the test

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Range of percent correct scores on the reporting cluster for students who scored proficient on the total test

STAR Student Report STAR Student Report (Sample)(Sample)

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Percent correct and # obtained by the student on the reporting cluster

STAR Student Report STAR Student Report (Sample)(Sample)

For example, this tells us exactly which part(s) of math the student is the strongest in and which part(s) he/she needs more

help in. This student is strongest in Estimation, Percents and Factoring (83% correct) and needs the most help with

Measurement and Geometry (73% correct).

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STAR: STAR: Student ReportStudent Report

Source: California Department of Education (CDE)

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/readinglist.asp

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STAR: Student ReportSTAR: Student Report

Source: California Department of Education (CDE)

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/

How can parents help their child/children

prepare for testing??

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What can I do to help my student What can I do to help my student prepare for the STAR?prepare for the STAR?At the beginning of and throughout the year: Review the California Content Standards (with your child’s

teacher) for each subject area Ask for the results of your child’s benchmark tests Encourage your child to read everyday Connect with your child’s teacher about his/her progress

◦ Say, “Hi!” to your child’s teacher◦ Attend conferences◦ Attend parent meetings◦ Review your child’s STAR Student Report with your child◦ Review your child’s report card with your child

During testing: Ensure Proper Diet and Adequate Rest Before Testing Help Your Child Understand Teachers’ Behaviors During

Testing Help Your Child Understand Their Own Behaviors During and

After Testing Avoid Stressful or Emotional Situations in the Home, if possible

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How to Reduce Test How to Reduce Test Anxiety . . . Anxiety . . .

Before and/or during a test, students may:

• Feel panic• Forget what they

learned• Have shaky or

sweaty palms• Need to go to the

restroom• Have a stomach ache

What can parents do to help?

• Keep practice times pleasant

• Teach your child to ease an anxious mind and body• Silently count

backward from 10• Take a deep breath• Tense and relax

muscles• Imagine being in a

peaceful place• Be positive!

Testing Tips and Testing Tips and QuestionsQuestions

•Listen carefully to spoken directions•Read through the written directions•Glance through the problems•Read all the questions or problems•Read the entire question or problem•Look at any pictures•Go back and check answers

Ask your child’s teacher for other tips. Write them down . . . ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Frequently Asked Frequently Asked QuestionsQuestions1. Is it okay to guess on a test?2. Are the STAR tests timed?3. Can parents take a look at the tests?

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/css05rtq.aspcss05rtq.asp

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http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/css05rtq.asp

http://starsamplequestions.org/

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Benchmark Student Exam ReportBenchmark Student Exam Report

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Benchmark Student Exam ReportBenchmark Student Exam Report

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Name three things that you will do to help your

child/children prepare for testing??

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Review - QuizReview - Quiz

What is the name of one of the significant tests administered to your child in the spring every year?

Name two ways you can help prepare your child for testing.

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Reference andReference andOn-line ResourcesOn-line Resources

California Department of EducationSTAR website at:http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/

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Contact InformationContact Information

Dept. of Research and EvaluationSanta Ana Unified School District

(714) 558-5850 Phone(714) 558-5573 FAX

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