TL;DR:
- Testing season is real!
- Be transparent with all stakeholders regarding what testing means for your school.
- Build relationships with your school team and families to get through this season united.
Educators are not like everyone else. While the rest of the world acknowledges four seasons, we educators add at least one more—testing season. State testing is upon us, ahead of us, behind us, over us, around us, or hovering somewhere nearby. Even as the world experiences unprecedented difficulties, state testing lingers. As educators, we are all experiencing this season in different ways. I can assure you that in some manner we are all in the midst of the testing season.
Thriving Rather Than Surviving During Testing Season
It may seem counterintuitive to consider elevating our practice as the testing season approaches. Think about creating the best possible framework for not only surviving but thriving during this time of year. Testing is here and not going anywhere any time soon. States are still using the data from testing to make impactful decisions. Real estate agents are selling properties by using testing data to help sell a particular area. It does seem that the data is not always used to improve instruction, but has that ever been the case? Let’s consider how we can take what we’re given and not only engage with the testing season but elevate our practices.
When we consider how we engage students in state testing, it’s important for us to first get our own minds right about the process of high-stakes testing. We can debate the value, validity, etc. of our testing, but those arguments are for another post. I can tell you after many years in our wonderful profession, that our commitment to ensuring that state testing goes well is the stuff that allows us to do all the other good things we do. If your class, school, or district does “well” on testing, you are less likely to get interference as you work to create a great school. For administrators, this is even more important. It’s the way we are able to sustain our roles over multiple years and truly get to the most impactful work.
Cement our relationships with our students, staff, and families. The testing season should enhance our strong bonds. We are facing a common challenge, and we rise to that challenge. Click To TweetEngaging During Testing Season
To engage our students, families, and staff during testing season, there are several things we can do. Here are some examples:
- Communicate the realness of testing to everyone. In my practice, I communicate to staff exactly what I communicated here in this article. If we want “them” to leave us alone and let us do our great work, we need to ensure that our students are doing their best and showing growth on state testing. We talk about this in meetings, informally, and we let the students know this as well.
- Ask our families to help us by emphasizing the importance of support during this season. This is not the time to switch classes, put extra pressure on students, or make them feel anything other than capable. Let’s promote enough rest, activity, and thought-time.
- Take a look at our standards and curriculum to ensure that we are giving our students the best chance to do well. Find the standards that have been problematic and provide enough coverage so students are at least familiar. This seems to go without saying, but we often rely on textbook publishers to guide our path, and that one-size-fits-all rarely ensures we are going to get it all in on time.
- Don’t overdo test prep. As a matter of fact, we run the risk of de-emphasizing the actual test if the students do test prep every day. I work with elementary-age students, and I’ve seen that when they are over test-prepped, they begin to view the actual test as classwork. It’s important that they know the difference.
Let’s Elevate during Testing Season!
There are so many things we can do that align closely with best practices. Here are some examples of how we can elevate during this season:
- Cement our relationships with our students, staff, and families. The testing season should enhance our strong bonds. We are facing a common challenge, and we rise to that challenge. Encouragement of each other is key. Mindset is so crucial!
- Success breeds success. Provide examples for families of how to create success at home. One year we gave our students a “chore challenge” and asked them to post their chore pics on Google Classroom. The intent was to show kids they were capable of doing things on their own. I can’t emphasize this point enough. Students are not passively taking on the testing challenge, they are getting something done.
- Look closely at not only the standards but HOW the standards are tested. We have a resource available in Texas that allows us to look at each standard and shows us the actual questions from past state tests covering that standard. It allows us to show students the question stems, the graphics in math, etc. Use your resources to find those questions, and let your teachers and students see the different ways they are expected to show their understanding of the concept.
- As a teacher or administrator, the testing season can be frustrating and sometimes lonely. If you are not already connected professionally and personally to your colleagues, this would be the time to plan a lunch or dinner—the time to gain perspective about the common issues we all have with state testing. It can really help to know that someone else is feeling the same as you during this potentially stressful period!
No child, teacher, administrator, parent, or community is defined by a test score. On the other hand, state testing is a huge reality that we in public education live with daily. When we work to elevate our practice, we can hope to sail through this fifth season successfully!
About Martin Silverman
Martin Silverman is a father, grandfather, husband, and long-time educator in beautiful San Antonio, Texas. He is committed to providing the best educational experience for the students and families at Salinas Elementary school where he is principal. Martin has worked in urban, suburban, and rural districts as a teacher and administrator. His interests are in creating and nurturing school culture, providing enriching experiences for students and families, and developing future teachers and administrators.
As a former bilingual teacher and administrator, Martin is committed to providing ELL students with quality programs to develop their unique skills. He hosts a podcast called The Second Question, which highlights educators and provides them a forum to discuss ideas, and to honor the teachers that have influenced their lives.
