State testing begins week of April 16
Posted on 04/13/2018
(SPS) - State testing begins across the district the week of April 16.

Please find your child's school below for the dates and subjects in which he or she will be tested.

When it comes to testing, students may experience anxiety and heightened anxiety before a testing situation. A certain degree of test anxiety is normal and may help students prepare more effectively, work more efficiently, and remain focused during testing. Too much anxiety, however, can negatively affect performance. Below the school testing dates are some strategies for you to help your child reduce their level of anxiety.

We have also included a list of tips you can use to help your child prepare for testing, for the testing day itself, and after testing.

One more important note: Please make sure your child is on time and please understand children cannot leave once testing has started. 

LIBERTY STEM

April 16: 5th Grade Science 1 in the morning and Science 2 in the afternoon.
April 17: 3rd-5th Grades English Language Arts 1 in the morning. 4th, 5th Grades English Language Arts 2 in the afternoon.
April 18: 3rd Grade English Language Arts 2. 5th Grade Writing.
April 19: 3rd-5th Grades Math 1 in the morning followed by Math 2 in the afternoon.

FREEDOM

April 17: 3rd, 4th Grades English Language Arts 1. 5th Grade Writing.
April 18: 3rd, 4th Grades English Language Arts 2. 5th Grade English Language Arts 1.
April 19: 5th Grade English Language Arts 2.
April 24: 3rd-5th Grades Math 1.
April 25: 3rd-5th Grades Math 2.
April 26: 5th Grade Science 1 in the morning and Science 2 in the afternoon.

HOLMES PARK

April 17: 3rd-5th Grades English Language Arts 1.
April 18: 3rd-5th Grades English Language Arts 2.
April 19: 5th Grade Writing.
April 24: 3rd-5th Grades Math 1.
April 25: 3rd-5th Grades Math 2.
April 26: 5th Grade Science 1 and Science 2 (15-minute break between tests).

JEFFERSON HEIGHTS

April 17: 3rd-5th Grades English Language Arts 1.
April 18: 3rd-5th Grades English Language Arts 2.
April 19: 5th Grade Writing.
April 23: 3rd-5th Grades Math 1. 5th Grade Science 1 in the afternoon.
April 24: 3rd-5th Grades Math 2. 5th Grade Science 2 in the afternoon.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

April 24: English Language Arts 1
April 25: English Language Arts 2
April 26: Math

JUNIOR HIGH


April 17: English Language Arts 1
April 18: English Language Arts 2
April 24: Science
April 25: Math

HIGH SCHOOL

April 19: Science
April 24: ACT Make-up
April 30: US History
May 1: US History

STRATEGIES FOR REDUCING TEST ANXIETY

1. Discuss the test openly and in a positive way.
2. Have realistic expectations of your child's performance while encouraging his/her best efforts.
3. Emphasize that the test is only one measure of academic performance.
4. Emphasize that test scores do not determine a person's worth.

PARENT TEST-SUPPORT TIPS

Preparing for Testing

1. Note test dates on your home calendar; schedule appointments on non-testing days.
2. Encourage your child to take responsibility for homework and class study.
3. Help your child learn how to find information independently.
4. Praise your child for work done well.
5. Encourage your child to ask questions at home and in class.
6. Get to know your child's teachers.
7. Attend parent-teacher conferences.
8. Confer with teachers on a regular basis for progress reports.
9. Gather available test preparation materials.
10. Assure your child knows that you value a good education.

Testing Day

1. See that your child is rested and eats breakfast.
2. See that your child arrives at school on time and is relaxed.
3. Encourage your child to do the best work possible.
4. Do not send your child to school if illness is apparent.
5. Do not remove your child from school on test days for appointments.

After Testing

1. Examine all test reports sent home.
2. Determine areas of strengths and weaknesses.
3. Praise your child's testing strengths and make a plan to address identified weaknesses.
4. See your child's principal, counselor or teacher if additional information is required.