join | what's new
Home Site Map Crafting Ideas Family Fun Parenting Home & Garden Holidays Funbook Forums
Your online source for free family fun, craft projects, parenting advice, and more...
Tell a Friend or Two
Cratfs & Fun
Kid's Crafts
Kid's Recipes
Holidays
Family Fun
Our Experts
Ages & Stages
Education
Home & Garden
Just For You
Parenting
Fun Stuff
Pets
Humor
Games
Message Boards
Photo Gallery
Blogs
 





 
Look Beyond Test Scores to Find Out if Your Child is on Course
by Dr. Raymond J. and Eileen Huntington

When your child has a stuffy nose and persistent cough, chances are your doctor will use a thermometer and stethoscope for a careful diagnosis before determining how to treat the ailment.

You should review the results of your child's next "big test" in the very same way. Instead of simply saying "congratulations" for a good grade or "study harder" because of a bad one, look beyond the score to identify specific learning problems, and take positive steps to strengthen the skills and knowledge that will help your child improve. This is particularly important in today's "high stakes" academic environment, which is defined by specific standards for what every child should achieve before being promoted to the next grade. Here's a simple checklist to help you keep track.

Pay Attention To Statewide Tests
In the fall and spring of each school year, schools across your state are required to give students tests to measure proficiency in meeting standards for what every child should know and learn in core academic subjects. Public schools adopt such standards in reading and math in grades three through eight, which are formative years for building basic skills that are crucial for higher level learning. Most states, schools and school systems also have rigorous subject matter standards for higher grades. These standards are developed largely by organizations dedicated to fostering excellent teaching and learning, such as The American Association for the Advancement of Science, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the National Reading Association and the National Council of Teachers of English.

Because these statewide tests measure student performance toward these standards, it's important to pay close attention to the results. If your child performs well on the test this fall, you can be reasonably assured that he or she has the academic grounding to handle grade-level work throughout the rest of the year. If not, you need to closely review his or her performance on the test and identify and address the problem areas immediately.

Maintain Contact With Teachers
Once you become aware of the trouble spots that signify that your child may not be performing at the level that's expected, set up a meeting with his or her teacher to discuss how to bring skills up to speed. If your child is struggling as a reader, for example, the teacher should determine what types of special assignments can build the skills needed to keep pace. The same is true for mathematics, history, social studies and virtually every other subject. Teachers can likewise offer suggestions on how to nurture and hone special aptitudes that may qualify your child for accelerated learning opportunities that can enhance preparation for higher education.

Look at academic performance school-wide.
In addition to being useful barometers of individual student success, tests given in the fall and spring also impact the annual U.S. Department of Education "report cards" that signify every school's success in maintaining and raising achievement among students overall. As a parent, you should be interested in this information, but you should also be aware that lower rankings for a school as a whole may not mean failure on behalf of all students. Many schools are improving significantly, and many are also going to great lengths to provide additional help for students with special learning needs. What's most important is knowing that the school and teachers are committed to seeing your child succeed.

Keep A Constant Vigil
While the statewide fall and spring tests represent a good view of academic performance over the span of the school year, the everyday tests given by your child's teachers are the best indicator of day to day progress. Instead of simply cheering an "A" or a "B" or threatening "no videogames for a week" for a "D," look carefully at the specific areas where your child excelled or struggled. An excellent response to an essay question, for example, could show a special aptitude for writing, reading and debating that could be nurtured with AP and honors classes. Multiple errors on a math test could likewise call for special help to master basic computation skills before your child moves on to algebra and geometry.

Either way, it's important to look beyond the grade to diagnose the strengths and weaknesses that are impacting your child's achievement - and find the right treatment for addressing them long before the next big test comes around.

See more articles from The Huntington's on FamilyCorner.com

Related Articles
Help Your Child Prepare for Big Tests
Making the Grade - What You Should Know
Reading Between the Lines to Help Students in Trouble
Summer School is Not the Only Place to Learn

Did you enjoy this article? Rate It! | Tell A Friend

About the Author
Raymond and Eileen Huntington are the founders of Huntington Learning Center, the oldest supplemental education provider nationwide. They opened their first Huntington Learning Center in Oradell, NJ in 1977. Since then, Huntington Learning Centers have grown to over 200 company-owned and franchised facilities nationwide. In their 25th year of business, the Huntington's have seen thousands of student success stories. Ray and Eileen measure that success not only by improved school performance but by also increased confidence, attention, motivation and better relationships with parents and teachers.


 

Coming Up

Father's Day!

Father's Day is coming soon. Celebrate dad this year with crafts, recipes and plenty of other ideas. Here are a few examples to get you started...

More Coming Up...

Free Newsletters
your email address:

Recently Added
New Stuff

new on familycorner.comMissed the last couple of newsletters? Haven't visited for a while? This section highlights articles and crafts that have recently been added to FC...


Coming Up


Granola on a Stick


Mug for Dad


Fireworks Flowers


Cake Balls
We Recommend
FamilyCorner Photo Gallery

Did you know that FamilyCorner has its own photo gallery? Did you know that YOU can upload your own photos to it? That's right, and it's completely free!

Here are some of the fun benefits of sharing your photos in our FC Gallery:

  • Send your own photos as an e-card
  • Watch slide shows
  • See beautiful sunsets and other great scenic shots
  • Brag about and share pictures of your loving pets
  • Share photos of your children and grandchildren
  • Create your own individual album and post in category albums
  • Keep your favorite pictures organized online
  • Rate images of other members
  • ...more!
Join us in the FC Photo Gallery. It's completely free to use, just another fabulous reason to be a FamilyCorner subscriber.

Start your own album by visiting our free gallery today!

Family Podcasts

Hosted by Caroline & JacquieFamily Matters Radio
Hosted by Caroline & Jacquie. Choose a segment below to begin listening!

Secrets of Happily Married Women
listen to part 1Do you feel like you are constantly on overdrive? Juggling career and family, attending to everyone's needs but your own, and all the while struggling to maintain a sense of balance and harmony in your marriage? You can actually start getting more out of your relationship by doing less and we'll tell you how with Dr. Scott Haltzman, author of Secrets of Happily Married Women. Hear part 2

When Mars and Venus Collide
listen to part 1It's a common scenario: a husband returns home from work stressed out and eager to kick back on the couch and watch TV. A wife returns home from work stressed out and wants to talk about it with her husband. What happens? Neither is on the same page, anger and resentment set in. We're going to find out how stress is impacting marriages today and what you can do about it when we talk with bestselling author John Gray Hear part 2

 
FamilyCorner.com Magazine
OUR FRIENDS
Family Stickers
Letter Stencils
MomsMenu
Main Street Mom
She Knows
Baby University
Personal Fitness Zone
Amanda's Blog
MORE GOOD STUFF
Newsletters
Advertising
Services
Submissions
Media Opportunities
Link To Us
Shop
Feedback
Staff

POPULAR AREAS
Family FunBook
Forums
Kid's Crafts
Coloring Pages
Household Hints & Tips
Photo Gallery
Blogs
e-Cards
Reminder Service



Contact Us | Copyright Notice | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use/Disclaimer

Copyright © 1997-2007 FamilyCorner.com Magazine, Inc. FamilyCorner.com® is a registered trademark of FamilyCorner.com Magazine, Inc