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Reed encourages students, families to get ready
for ISTEP+
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, September 8, 2008
Media Contacts:
Jason Bearce, 317.232.6618, jbearce@doe.in.gov
Lynelle A. Miller, 317.232.6614, lamiller@doe.in.gov
Avon Waters, 317.234.4703, awaters@doe.in.gov
With ISTEP+ testing beginning at schools statewide
next week, Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Suellen Reed
encourages Hoosier families to do their part to help students prepare.
Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus (or ISTEP+)
begins September 15, so be sure to check with your school for local
testing dates within the statewide September 15-26 window.
“ISTEP+ shows us what Indiana students know and are able
to do, and families can follow some simple steps now to make sure
our students are prepared to do their best,” Reed said.
Based
on Indiana’s Academic Standards, ISTEP+ provides a
learning check-up designed to make sure students are on track and
to identify which areas need improvement. The test includes multiple
choice, short answer and essay questions covering English/language
arts and mathematics at each grade level as well as science at
grades 5 and 7.
High school Graduation Qualifying Exam (GQE) testing
will take place September 16-18. Incoming high school sophomores
(class of 2011) will be the last group of students to take the
current GQE that covers English and math skills through grade 9.
Incoming freshmen (class of 2012) will be the first group of students
to take the new GQE which consists of Algebra I and English 10
exams taken after students complete the corresponding course. For
most students, that will be in late spring 2009. Visit www.doe.in.gov/istep for more details.
A solid academic foundation is essential to a successful
future. ISTEP+ is designed to make sure Indiana students master
the basic skills on their way to earning a high school diploma.
If students don’t pass the test, that signals they need some
extra help. Though the true preparation for ISTEP+ takes place
throughout the entire year leading up to the test, students and
families should follow the simple steps below to get ready for
ISTEP+:
How can students get ready for ISTEP+?
- Be prepared. Cramming for any test is never the best
way to prepare. Keep up with your homework and ask your teachers
for help when you need it.
- Ask for help. If you’ve had trouble
with ISTEP+ in the past, ask a teacher, counselor or parent about
extra help now.
- Review. In the weeks before your test, take it
seriously when your teachers review important information.
- Get
plenty of sleep. Go to bed a little earlier so you get a good
night’s sleep. Being well rested will give you an
extra boost of energy for test day.
- Have a good breakfast. Eat
protein (eggs, meat, cheese, etc.), which will help you perform
better than a sugary doughnut. Too much food can make you feel
sleepy, so don’t overdo it.
- Take a break. Get some exercise
during your breaks or after school to keep your energy up.
- Double-check
your work. Get in the habit now of double-checking your work
and proofreading your answers on homework to be ready to find
mistakes on test days.
What can parents do to help students prepare for
ISTEP+?
- Stay connected. Cramming for a test rarely results
in the type of learning that will stay with your child throughout
his or her life. The best preparation is to provide consistent
support for your child throughout his or her education.
- Know what’s
expected. Read Indiana’s Academic Standards
(www.doe.in.gov/standards) so you know what your child should
know and be able to do, reinforce these expectations at home
and stay connected to your child’s academic performance
throughout the year.
- Check grades. Your son or daughter may say
things are “fine” at
school but don’t stop checking report cards, progress reports
or, if available, your child’s online grades or class progress.
- Talk
to the teacher. Teachers know how hard students are working,
how well they are behaving, quality of their homework and what
areas need improvement. Collect e-mail addresses or phone numbers
of all your child’s teachers and check in periodically.
- Don’t
buckle on homework. If your child is not studying at home, ask
why, and double-check with teachers. It’s tough
to hold the line, but making sure your child does his or her
homework is important for academic success.
- Ask for help. Students
who are struggling in a particular class may need extra help
after school or with a tutor. Find out from your school where
you can go for help and make sure your student gets the help
he or she needs. Catching a problem area now can make a big difference.
- Go
to parent meetings. Most schools offer parent nights or teacher/parent
sessions that provide great information. Check your school’s
calendar at the beginning of the year and plan to attend.
- Get
involved. Nothing will have a bigger impact on your student’s
success than your involvement in his or her education.
More questions about ISTEP+?
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