I

N

S

I

G

H

T

S

F O R F A M I L I E S

? INSIGHTS

FOR FAMILIES

is provided by your child’s

school in recognition of

your role as a partner in

education. Adapted by Judy

McDaniel, communications

consultant, from informa -

tion provided by Washing -

ton State PTA.

?

Helping

your

children

succeed

on tests

?

?

Be sure your children are at school every day. Good attendance

is needed to do well in school — and to do well on tests. Be sure

your children arrive at school on time, well rested, and well

nourished.

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Take an interest in your children’s school work. When children

and parents talk regularly about school, children perform better

academically.

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Provide a healthy and stress-free home environment for your

children. Don’t give your children unnecessary stress by

overemphasizing tests.

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Give your children verbal encouragement. Help boost your

children’s self esteem. Provide emotional support, especially

during critical testing periods.

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Make a quiet place at home for your children to study, read,

and do homework assignments. Monitor and limit your

children’s television viewing and video game playing.

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Work on reading with your children at home. Good reading

skills are important to success in school and to doing well on

tests. Set a good example as a reader — read every day at home

even if it is a magazine or newspaper.

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Ask your children’s teachers and principals about grade level

expectations for your children. Ask how you can help your

children learn at home.

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Ask your children’s teachers about the tests your children take.

Ask about the subjects, knowledge and skills that are tested

— and how the test results will be used to help your children be

successful.

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Don’t judge your children’s abilities — or let others judge your

children’s abilities — on the basis of the score on a single test.

Any test provides limited information about what your children

know and are able to do.

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Use your voice to advocate for your children. If your children

have special needs, make sure teachers and principals

understand those needs and how they might affect test

performance. Ask for testing accommodations if needed.