ASKTHETEACHER Preparation is the Key to MCAS Success BY amy benoit Chances are if you have a child in a public or charter school, you have heard of MCAS, the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System. This spring, children in grades 3- 10 will be administered specific grade level tests, measuring their understanding of core subject matter. Students will navigate through multiple choice, open-ended response questions, and short answer formats. Specific to students in grades 4, 7, & 10, is the long composition, known as the "five-paragraph essay," which will focus on a themed question. An example is last year's writing prompt for seventh graders: "Heroes have special qualities that people admire. Heroes give us examples of the courage and strength it takes to face difficult situations and challenges in life. Think of someone who is your personal hero. In a welldeveloped composition, describe this person and explain two qualities you most admire about him or her." "The state expects a lot of our children," said fourth grade teacher Craig Laprise, who recommends acclimating children to this type of testing. He advises parents "take some time and look at past MCAS tests … Not only will you get some valuable insights on the state expectations, but hopefully it will help you in planning how to best prepare your child for their scholastic achievements in the future." Parents and students can view released test questions from 2003 through 2007 to use as examples or practice. For additional information, visit www.doe.mass.edu/mcastestitems.html. Teaching To The Test A common thought, that is highly debated, is the belief teachers spend far too much class time "teaching to the test." Truth is teachers do prepare students, but not so much in the way that parents may think. Teachers said when students are familiar with a test format; they are then more able to focus on its content. More than just MCAS prep, skills such as keying in on specific details, weeding out non-essential information, and locating elements that turn a good answer into a better one are the goals of all teachers. After all, the test is not meant to stump or surprise anyone, especially students. What Can Parents Do? Parents are their children's first teachers. That said, every parent plays a significant role in her child's education. Make learning a priority by: • Reviewing class work and school expectations • Setting educational goals • Creating a positive home/school connection According to the North West Regional Educational Laboratory, "Research overwhelmingly demonstrates that parent involvement in children's learning is positively related to achievement … this holds true for all types of parent involvement in children's learning and for all types and ages of students." Exposing your child to various literature genres like non-fiction, legends, fairytales, fantasy, epics, fiction, and biographies will build knowledge, enhance vocabulary, and increase fluency. "Reading aloud to children is the most important activity that parents can do to increase their child's chance of reading success," according to The National Education Association. After a child has finished a book, Laprise suggested parents ask thoughtful questions that "promote the child's ability to make inferences." Math Everyday Starting in the early grades, children should begin mastering number sense and operations, as these are the basics that will be expanded on in the intermediate and secondary grades. Make math a part of your child's everyday experiences. Elementary students may be expected to answer MCAS questions concerning money, temperature, time, weight and measurement, while middle to high school students may encounter questions regarding statistics, probability, fractions, geometry and percentages. The Big Day Do you recall studying for your learner's permit? What about the day you actually took the driver's road test? How did the two compare? Though both situations caused anxiety, the latter required more concentration and resulted in a higher stake. Similarly, taking the MCAS tests may exacerbate your child's nervousness. Children are quick to understand that their performance affects their individualized scores, not to mention the reactionary viewpoints of parents and teachers. Parents and school personnel can help ease this anxiety by focusing on the positives, such as how MCAS results show what a child does well. To prepare for each test session, students should: • Eat a healthy breakfast • Arrive to school on time • Be calm and deep breathe • Read directions carefully • Stay focused • Proofread work and double check Amy Benoit teaches third grade students in Worcester, who are busy preparing for the 2008 MCAS tests.