Supporting Students During High-Stakes Tests: Strategies for Success
- April Connelley
- 10 hours ago
- 3 min read
By April Connelley
This is the time of year when everyone is deep into state and end-of-the-year testing. It can feel a little daunting for school staff, not to mention the students. So what can we do to make the process go as smoothly as possible without overdoing it? In other words, how can schools be efficient and effective while keeping it simple?
Here are a few key considerations. This is not an exhaustive list or a checklist. Take a look at these strategies and think about which ones work for you and the students in your care. Find a balance between over-the-top and practical.
#1 Become familiar with the expectations of the test.
What do the questions look like, what format are the questions in, and what are the timing recommendations? This applies to both teachers and students.
Start with teachers, and make sure they have the time to look through testing information such as released items, item specifications, and performance level descriptors. Give grade-level teams time to understand what the high-stakes assessments involve.
Then, ask teachers to carry that over into day-to-day instruction. The first time students see a multi-select question or read a passage on a device shouldn’t be the assessment. Schools should embed instruction aligned with the expectations of their summative assessments all year long.
#2 Teach test-taking strategies, but don’t go overboard.
Students don’t need months and months of test-taking strategies. Embed strategies across the curriculum and review them right before the assessment. For example, make sure students understand how to take a quick break, the importance of reading the instructions, how to deal with multiple-choice questions, and how to use scrap paper.
Avoid test-testing boot camps that take away from instruction time and often result in students just “practicing” questions over and over. Remember practicing requires instruction and learning first, so taking a bunch of practice tests, isn’t going to be very beneficial in the long run.
#3 Connect with families.
Make sure caregivers know what is happening and logistical things like schedules. Share tips for discussing assessments with their children. You might want to consider creating some short two-three minute bit-sized videos that include important information and suggestions. If schools have identified students who may be particularly stressed about the testing, consider making a personal phone call to a caregiver or connecting in person when the parent is in the building.
Remind caregivers about things like avoiding routine dentist and doctor appointments during this time. The importance of sleep, hydration, and nutrition. Students benefit from continuing with their consistent routine during testing windows.
#4 Celebrate effort.
Make it a consistent behavior that what is celebrated is the effort and the work someone puts into something. We want students to know that their effort is most important. We want their best effort because we want data that reflects how students are actually performing. This is what helps teachers know how to instructionally respond to the data. If data isn’t truly reflective then we are adjusting instruction on faulty information. High-stakes tests provide a big-picture view of student learning, helping educators adjust instruction as needed. Consider celebrating effort over celebrating students who score at a specific level.
#5 Keep students and staff motivated and reduce anxiety.
High-stakes tests are draining and not really at the top of anyone’s most wanted list of things to do. Do things to help everyone stay motivated to do the hard work. Allow for extra breaks, recognize students who are displaying strong effort, and simply be upbeat and fun. Remember to be honest with students, let them know you know this isn’t easy, but that you believe in them.
Reduce anxiety by making personal connections with students, for example, former teachers can put small notes on students' desks, or volunteers can do something special for a class. Ask students what motivates them when things get tough. Then listen to what they have to say. Include their ideas in your plan.
Avoid using any kind of language that makes students think that teachers' jobs are at stake or that their performance hurts the school. This can make students feel worried and responsible for things that are not in their control.
Preparing students and staff for high-stakes assessments is important for not only getting the best results possible but also for making sure that students and staff feel supported and know their mental health is a priority.
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