High stakes testing, or Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS), begins in April for Arizona students.
Teachers have been teaching the common core standards, analyzing data to meet the needs of their students, adjusting their groups, and using a variety of teaching strategies to best prepare their students to think critically, analyze their work, and problem solve like no other.
“Good teaching takes place all year round,” said Aaron Kaczmarek, Las Sendas Elementary School principal. And such is the case at each and every school. The students are ready for the test.
AIMS testing creates a new stress level for the students, as well as the teachers and administrators. So, what are schools doing to help keep motivation high, enthusiasm up and stress down?
Kathy Ray, Stevenson Elementary School principal, meets with individual students to look at their performance on Acuity testing the students take three times a year. Together, they analyze the data, and set goals for the future.
Acuity is a predictor test for how the students will do on AIMS. Mrs. Ray also writes notes of encouragement to the students and parents, along with calling the parents to stress the importance of these tests. As an entire school, they will have a jazz concert, performed by the Skyline Jazz Band, to get everyone jazzed up for AIMS.
Another school, Falcon Hill Elementary, led by Dr. Lynn Taylor David, will have a total AIMS celebration after testing. The criterion is the students are able to say they did their best on the test. “I meet with third-grade students prior to AIMS to reinforce their importance, and to let the students know who looks at their scores, from their parents, to future teachers and me,” the principal said. This is a way she learns how the third grade is doing and what they need.
Principal Kaczmarek is a data guy. He and his staff are monitoring data and students’ performances all year, like the other schools. He provides motivation for his students by giving them a challenge each quarter on Acuity’s Instructional Resources. If they complete 10 instructional resource activities from Acuity in math and reading, each with passing scores, he takes the students who meet this challenge to the park next door to just have fun, and to revel in their success and accomplishment.
Carmel-Ann Ditch, the title specialist at Salk Elementary School, is in charge of the motivating activities. During testing week, each day, every student is given a brain snack and bottled water for hydration. A banner saying Be a Smart Test Taker hangs in all classrooms. Since the beginning of the year, the teachers and students go over what each letter stands for on a daily basis, and it becomes part of their thinking. S is for Stay focused, M is for Mark your answers clearly, A is for Always do your best, R is for Recheck your work, and T is for Take your time. This is just another way to instill lifelong learning strategies in the students.
Down the road, Casey Levin is running the celebrations at Taft Elementary School. This year, the teachers will be putting on a skit at an assembly for the whole school, which will send the message to do your best on the test. They also will watch a video on test taking tips, and have brain snacks each day.
No matter what school your student attends, know the best teachers, who love what they do and give 100 percent and more each and every day, are teaching your child.
As a parent, make sure your child is eating a good breakfast, getting to bed on time, and having time to relax and chill just a bit more the week of AIMS.
Best wishes are extended to each and every student during testing week. Remember to show what you know.
If you would like to know more of what goes on at your child’s school for AIMS week, contact your child’s teacher.