TIPS FOR EDUCATORS FROM AEA BOARD MEMBER MELISSA MOORE
Bubble sheets and Scantron machines may be a thing of the past, but educators still use tips and tricks that will propel their students to the levels of proficiency and beyond. While some of the guidance on standardized test preparation has changed, the best tips never have.
HIT THE HAY The old advice of getting a good night’s sleep and eating a good breakfast before the test, of course, still stands. Any educator knows that a student will perform their best when they are both refreshed and fueled. It is not enough to only consider a student’s physical body. Teachers must also take their mental states into account.
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PROJECT POSITIVITY It is vital to cultivate a positive mental attitude about the standardized test on the horizon. Educators must treat the test as an exciting, fun opportunity, not a scary experience. Students will mirror your feelings on this issue, so be encouraging. It costs nothing for an educator to tell their students, “I heard this year’s test is going to be the easiest one yet.” Whether this is legitimately true or not, that is beside the point. Students need to feel they have a chance and there is hope for their achievement.
