Spring Testing Begins Next Week for Fulton Students

Throughout the year, Fulton students participate in standardized testing as part of the statewide testing program. Spring, however, is an especially important testing season due to the CRCT for elementary and middle school students and the GHSGT for high-schoolers.

Beginning Monday, April 25, students in third through eighth grade will take the Georgia Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests. The purpose of the CRCT is to provide information on academic achievement at the student, class, school, system and state levels. This information is used to diagnose individual student strengths and weaknesses and to gauge the quality of education throughout Fulton County and the state.

The Georgia Department of Education requires that third-, fifth- and eighth-grade students pass certain sections of the CRCT to move on to the next grade. Third-graders must perform at or above grade level in reading, while fifth- and eighth-graders must pass both reading and math sections. Students scoring below grade level will not be promoted unless they pass a make-up test.

High school students also face high-stakes testing. End-of-course tests, given in identified high school subjects, will be administered May 9-13. Testing for students taking Advanced Placement courses also occurs May 2-13.

Parents can help their children do their best on tests by making sure they are in school every day, and especially on testing days. Tests reflect the overall achievement of a child and time spent in learning situations increases the likelihood of doing well.

Other helpful testing tips include:

• Give your child encouragement. Praise him/her for the things done well throughout the year. A child who is afraid of failing is more likely to make a mistake.
• Ensure that your child has a well-rounded diet. A healthy body leads to a healthy, active mind. Make sure your child has a good breakfast on testing days and every day.
• Keep the lines of communication open between home and school. Parents and teachers should work together to benefit the child.
• Make sure your child is well rested on school days. Tired children are less likely to pay attention in class or to handle the demands of classwork and tests.
• Try not to be overly anxious about test scores. Too much emphasis on test scores can be upsetting to children.
• Don’t judge a child on the basis of a single test score. Test scores are not perfect measures of what a child can do. There are many other things that might influence a test score. For example, a child can be affected by the way he/she feels that day, physically and/or mentally.
• Follow normal routines. Interruptions of normal routines may affect your child’s performance.
• Don’t forget eyeglasses or hearing aids. If your child wears an assistive device, such as glasses or hearing aids, be sure he/she remembers to bring it and wear it during all testing sessions.
• Plan ahead for medical appointments. Avoid scheduling doctor’s or dentist’s appointments during testing times.