Test Anxiety Revisited: Can you help me now?

Fauquier County Public Schools Mary K. Wills Division Director of Testing Deb Anderson Testing Program Specialist

Take a deep breath. Count to three. Exhale. Take a deep breath. Count to 4. Exhale. RELAX

Anxiety Travels Heartbeats transfer anxiety Other Causes Too may changes Too much talk about a test

Simulations Practice and Reflect TEACHER BEHAVIOR STUDENT BEHAVIOR

Simulations Practice and Reflect QUESTION FORMAT ANSWER RESPONSES MATERIALS TEST RELATED TEST SETTING

Simulations Practice and Reflect ANSWERING STUDENT QUESTIONS MONITORING DURING TESTING USE ACCOMMODATIONS WHEN APPLICABLE

Simulations Practice and Reflect WAIT TIME OVER TIME PROCTORS ANSWER DOCUMENTS TEST NAV TRANSMITTING SECURE MATERIALS

Teacher needs to... Predict areas that will cause trouble Plan for support for these areas Practice ways to empower learners to be successful Reflect Discuss Practice

Review Using Simulations Weekly Review an Environmental Issue Reflect and Discuss Review a Skill or Concept Reflect and Discuss

Environmental Issues Teacher Behaviors – Examiner’s Role Student Behaviors – Test Taker’s Role Testing Lab or Classroom Islands

Teacher is an Examiner Reads directions Monitors students before testing Does not offer prompts or clues-they are quiet Monitors students during testing Walks around Talks to the group

Celebrations of Learning Students are independent workers They prompt themselves They preview charts and texts They solve problems and check solutions They work each question form the top down

Give Yourself Positive Messages I will do the best I can. I am capable of doing well. I know the material. I can do it. I am prepared. I am successful. I am smart (personal message)

Read and Listen to the Directions with an Open Mind Block out other thoughts. Concentrate on voice or words.

If You Get Stuck - Don’t Panic!! Go back to your relaxation exercises. Give yourself positive messages. Use the TOP DOWN strategy Reword the questions to help you understand.

Teach the test format as a genre. Teach the test environment and culture. Teach parents and students about your testing program. Tips for Teachers Prep for Tests

Identifying the Challenges Manipulating data Text split by graphics Dual use of letters Extraneous information in a passage

Reading a numbered sentence passage Question not related to the passage Choosing the best answer out of sensible alternatives (what is correct for the passage) Interpreting graphics, illustrations, time, lines or diagrams.

Language of test questions Reading and interpreting directions Difficult questions

CELEBRATE Over and Over Again !!!