According to my school district, Wednesday was National Testing Day. With a name like that, one would think this is a big deal. Try googling it though. What did you come up with? National HIV Testing Day, right? That's because there is not a National Testing Day. I have researched this every year, when my school observes the day, and I have not found anything. If you poke around enough and use some fancy google-fu, you find a bunch of different school websites that mention National Testing Day and they are all administering the PSAT or a version of the ACT. From what I can tell, National Testing Day was created by the test makers!
My freshmen took the ACT Aspire test. There were 5 sections; Reading, Writing, English, Math, and Science. There were 3 different English/Literature sections on this test, but nothing about History. Each section was roughly 50 minutes for a total of 5 hours. Do you remember taking a 5 hour test your freshman year of high school? What about as a 3rd grader? The Test Administrator Manual includes instructions for grades 3-10.
We must be taking this test for a good reason though, right? Who knows. Every school official I ask doesn't know what this data will be used for. There should be a clear reason as to WHY we are making our students take an exam. I would assume there is a valid reason, but that information should already be shared with the campus personnel. How do I properly "sell" the importance of a test that I don't know anything about? The purpose of taking the PSAT is clear. But, what is the purpose of the ACT Aspire (or ACT Plan)? And why does any student under grade 10 need to take it?
Suggestions to Parents:
- Ask your school for a testing calendar
- Review it to see what tests are given
- Ask the school WHY your student is taking these tests
- Remember that none of the tests are required (except STAAR)
- Consider keeping your child home on the day of the test
- Especially if it is for another grade level
On testing days, schools will often "lock down" and not hold normal classes. For my campus, 9th grade took the ACT Aspire, 10th and 11th took PSAT, and the 12th graders went on college visits. The 9th grade test lasted all day, while the PSAT only needed a half day. When the 10th and 11th grade was finished with their test, they sat in the same room for the rest of the day. They were supposed to have a lesson on Bullying for 2+ hours. With their Exit level STAAR EOC tests quickly approaching, was that time well spent? However, this is a common practice. Non-tested students are often kept in the same room all day, so that they do not disturb those taking tests. This is a necessary evil of testing, but does your child need to participate?
