It’s Testing Season: What to Know and How to Support Your Children

K-12 testing is happening in schools starting this month and next for the South Dakota ELA, Math and Science assessments. In 2020 the testing window for K12 ELA and Math opened March 4 in South Dakota, the ELA and Math Alternative Assessment starts March 16, and Science and Science Alternative opens April 1. English Learners (students who speak a language other than English as their first language) in any grade K-12 took the ACCESS test in February. See this Schedule of Required Assessments from the SD Department of Education (DOE). 

We know test-taking season is sometimes a stressful time for families as well as teachers! Taking a fun, light-hearted approach can help calm your child’s test-taking nerves. Watch these short, entertaining videos a Florida school created to prepare students and their families for the upcoming statewide assessments:

• March 2015 Bentley Elementary School Testing Video
• March 2019 Bentley Elementary School Testing Video

As parents and families you have a voice and can let your schools know if information about testing is unclear. If you receive some type of communication from the school district that is confusing in any way, your feedback should be shared. Parents and families of English Learners can request to have school communication translated, and some test documents are already translated, such as this Smarter Balanced resource page in Spanish, and these parent letters and handouts from WIDA. (For educators: HERE are some tips on how to make easy-to-read handouts, including labeling images and use of whitespace–less is more; choose images that enhance rather than distract from the text.)

To learn more about the upcoming tests here is a video for families from the test developer, Smarter Balanced and here is a link to their parent information page. When asked what resources parents should review prior to their children taking an assessment, Christina Booth with the SD DOE Assessment Office recommended the Student and Family Assessment Portal.

For more resources to help your children prepare for test taking, consider the following recommendations from Colorín Colorado, Edutopia, and PBS:

• Learn about standardized tests yourself so you can help your child know what to expect
• Ask your child’s teacher if you have any questions
• Encourage a positive mindset
• Use technology in a targeted (and academic) way
• Teach relaxation skills

Also, check out these short, self-paced lessons you can go through with your students:

• Grade 3-5: Tackling Test Taking 
• Grade 6-8: Test Prep Success
• Grade 9-12: Navigating Tests

Young children won’t experience an academic test until entering Kindergarten, however, there are some early childhood screenings parents and families should be aware of:

• Free developmental screenings are available for all children from birth to three years old. SD Birth to Three, a partner of the SFEC, contributes to the success of children with developmental delays and their families by providing dynamic, individualized early intervention services and supports that build on family strengths using everyday routines and learning experiences. Learn more at https://doe.sd.gov/birthto3/. 
• Kindergarten Readiness Screening – This assessment is handled by local school districts and varies in terms of when it is offered and what is screened. Reach out to your local school district to learn more.

Testing extends beyond the statewide assessments happening in K-12 classrooms. For students and families transitioning out of high school, preparing for college or entering the world of work may require more tests. Students might take the Accuplacer test before enrolling in a technical or community college, or the ACT/SAT before applying to college. There is also the National Career Readiness Certificate, a test to demonstrate career readiness, which results in a portable, evidence-based credential that certifies the essential skills for workplace success. Also in the realm of work, many occupations require some type of industry-recognized exam which results in a credential. Whether your child dreams of being an electrician, a doctor, a veterinary technician, or a firefighter, there will likely be some type of test involved. 

All of the tips and tools in this article can be used to prepare for any assessment, test, or screening, and we hope you will find them useful. We wish you great success!