PREPARING YOUR STUDENT
FOR TESTING: WHAT PARENTS
NEED TO KNOW
Mr. Crookshank, High School Counselor
Mrs. Inman, Elementary School Counselor
Fairlawn Local Schools
HOW ARE THE PARCC/AIR
ASSESSMENTS DIFFERENT?
Unlike many current tests,
PARCC tests will be engaging
and will test the critical-thinking
and problem-solving skills
students need to succeed
in school and life.
WHICH TESTS WILL MY STUDENT
TAKE AND WHEN?
3RD GRADE
 MATH UNIT 1: MARCH 12
 MATH UNIT 2: MARCH 13
 OAA: APRIL 22
4TH GRADE
 MATH UNIT 1 & 2: MARCH 6
 ELA UNIT 1: MARCH 9
 ELA UNIT 2: MARCH 10
 ELA UNIT 3: MARCH 11
 SOCIAL STUDIES: MARCH 12
5TH GRADE
 ELA UNIT 1: FEBRUARY 23
 ELA UNIT 2 & 3: FEBRUARY 24
 MATH UNIT 1 & 2: FEBRUARY 26
 SCIENCE: MARCH 10
6TH GRADE
 ELA UNIT 1: FEBRUARY 23
 ELA UNIT 2 & 3: FEBRUARY 25
 MATH UNIT 1 & 2: FEBRUARY 27
 SOCIAL STUDIES: MARCH 9
WHICH TESTS WILL MY STUDENT
TAKE AND WHEN?
7TH GRADE
 ELA UNIT 1: MARCH 3
 ELA UNIT 2 & 3: MARCH 4
 MATH UNIT 1 & 2: MARCH 5
8TH GRADE
 ELA UNIT 1: FEBRUARY 17
 ELA UNIT 2 & 3: FEBRUARY 19
 MATH UNIT 1 & 2: MARCH 2
 SCIENCE: MARCH 3
9TH GRADE
 ELA UNIT 1: FEBRUARY 17
 ELA UNIT 2 & 3: FEBRUARY 18
 MATH UNIT 1 & 2: FEBRUARY 20
 SCIENCE: MARCH 2
10TH GRADE
 SOCIAL STUDIES: MARCH 4
 OGT: END OF MARCH
12TH GRADE
 SOCIAL STUDIES: MARCH 5
HOW CAN MY STUDENT PREPARE?


TEACHERS HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH STUDENTS
TO PREPARE THEM FOR THE TYPES OF QUESTIONS
THEY WILL SEE ON THE TESTS.
STUDENTS CAN TAKE PRACTICE TESTS:
ELA & MATH:
 http://parcc.pearson.com/practice-tests/
SCIENCE & SOCIAL STUDIES:
 http://oh.portal.airast.org/ocba/students-andfamilies/
DEALING WITH TEST STRESS

BEFORE THE TEST:
 Get
prepared: Know what to expect!
 Stay positive: Have an “I can” attitude!
 Visualize success: Imagine yourself getting a great
score!
 Exercise: Physical activity can help you focus.
 Avoid junk food & caffeine!
 Dress comfortably.
 REST: Get enough sleep the whole week leading up to
the test!
DEALING WITH TEST STRESS

DURING THE TEST:
 Breathe!
 Move
your body.
 Find an easy question.
 Take a break…close your eyes for just a few seconds,
breathe and get back to work!
IDEAS FOR ENSURING ADEQUATE
SLEEP:






Organize your life for sleep: Make sleep a priority!
Create the right space: Keep your room cool, quiet, and dark.
Let in bright light in the morning to signal your body to wake up.
You can’t fake wake: No pills, vitamins or drinks can replace good
sleep. (Also, caffeine close to bedtime can affect sleep.)
Keep it constant and create a bedtime ritual: Establish a bedtime
and wake-time and stick to it.
Prepare your body: Don’t eat, drink, or exercise within a few
hours of your bedtime. Stick to quiet, calm activities before bed
and avoid electronics such as phones and tablets close to
bedtime!
Leave stress out of it: Try keeping a diary or to-do lists to clear
your mind before attempting to doze off.
RESOURCES:



National Sleep Foundation
Ohio Means Jobs Assessments and Training
parcconline.org