Preparing For The STAAR

As days go by, the students get anxious, uncertain, and nervous about having to take the upcoming STAAR test.  It seems that most have been practicing and studying the various topics of the test for quite some time now, but not all have had the opportunity to have devoted and caring teachers in the classrooms.  My two elementary students have been practicing and learning all the concepts that will be covered on the test in April, but my 8th grader has been having to deal with teachers that expect their students to motivate and teach themselves.  For about 4 weeks now, she has had no homework because her teachers want her to look over material that will be on the test.  She says that her English teacher has given them a "Twilight Book" to read in class or study for their STAAR test.

As a parent, I feel that she is not being taught or motivated enough to be prepared for her test.  As a future educator, I know that it is our responsibility to educate the students and ensure that learning and understanding is taking place.  Three weeks ago, I asked my daughter to write everything that she went over or did in the classroom so that I could evaluate her lessons.  To my surprise, all she had done for those three weeks was "read a book and summarized the chapter read".  I was very disappointed and concerned so I arranged a conference with this teacher.  Upon my arrival, the teacher had nothing to discuss.  She simply said my daughter was a great student and that she had no problems with her in her class.  I was not surprised to hear this but I was very upset that all that mattered to this particular teacher was my daughter's attitude in her class.  This was unacceptable but I still remained calm.  I asked about her grades and she just said she was doing great!  So I specifically asked her for grades on tests she had taken already.  Well, she had NONE! She had conduct grades, participation grades, and a grade for her sitting in her desk and reading.

I went on to ask her to bring the principal in so that I could voice my concerns.  The principal had no idea of what was going on in the classroom and I was even more disappointed! My child had been at school for about a month now and nothing was being taught like it was supposed to.  I told the principal that it was her duty to ensure that students were taught by capable teachers and that the students were learning.  Once they saw that I was not going to ease up, they decided to send home a detailed schedule of what was going to be taught in the classroom up until the STAAR took place.

It is very important for students to be mentally, physically, and emotionally prepared for taking the STAAR.  NO student should go into the testing room without the tools he needs to be successful.  I have researched and gathered important information so that you can prepare your students and/or children for taking the test.  The TEA website offers a great deal of information for the students, teachers, and parents to use in order to help the students succeed.

REMEMBER: ALWAYS PROMOTE AND MOTIVATE LEARNING FOR ALL USING THE APPROPRIATE TOOLS FOR STUDENTS!