Middle school standardize testing challenges

[123bookworm]

My 8th grade daughter is taking a high school level class which uses a state standardize test format for class tests. The nature of her ADHD makes these types of test difficult for her to pass as they are designed to be “tricky”.

She has worked very hard since elementary school getting to where she is now! She is in all advanced classes now and an honor roll student but has struggled every year to get a passing grade on her annual state tests. She was almost held back in third grade due to low scores on the reading level on the state standardize test. These standardize tests absolutely do not reflect her actual capabilities.

Her 504 accommodations allow extra testing time, which doesn’t help at all. I have run into roadblocks in trying to get an alternate testing format as the teacher feels she should be able to pass these tests because it is high school level. She attends the extra study groups and teacher help sessions. The teacher knows she knows the material. She just can’t execute to this style test.

Most of the accommodations I see listed don’t address this particular challenge. She needs a more straightforward test: short answer, essay, teacher interview etc.

Any suggestions how to help her get adequate accommodations?

[seller]

I am going to send you a reply in private.

[Onthemove1971]

123 bookworm-

You are not alone with lower test score. I think what is important is to ask yourself " what is the reason/purpose" for taking these types of test? How will it benefit your child? Is this used for placement in high school? Will she take the SAT?

I guess the question would be what happens to kids who don't take the test? How will she be placed?

The other option is try to make more accommodations to see if it improves her scores.

Here are a few options, take the test in a private setting at a slower pace, text to speech ( reads the questions to her).

Hope this helps...

If you need more suggestions let me know, I can come up with more.

Take care,

[Janice_H]

My son has tested 4 grade levels below on all the state assessments. I do not know how these are administered. When assessments are given in class, he passes with 70% or higher given grade level material. The state assessments can be a bit tricky? How about having your daughter in a different quiet room along with a scribe or person who can read the questions to her.

[Onthemove1971 in reply to Janice_H]

On a side note, scribe is tricky becuase the child has to spell out each word,.including capitalized letters and punctuation. For example.. capital letter...I...r...a...n..d..o..w..n...a..h...i...l...l period.

But a separate space could help, with a special proctors.

[anirush]

Our state requires standardized testing to pass from grade school to middle school, middle school to high school. My 8th grade grandson has never been able to pass the reading test.

In 5th grade the special ed advisor decided he did well enough in classwork that they would exempt him from passing the test and send him to 6th grade.

Most of these tests can be opted out of if you can get help from special ed.