Testing Takes on Cameron Schools Monday, March 28, 2011 By Junior Hannah Goebel Students focus on a big test in language class. - Photo by Hannah Goebel Advertising It’s everyone’s favorite time of year, test time. All schools around the nation are preparing for end of year tests, and Cameron is no different. Did you know that even First Graders take an end of year test now? Well, they do, and it’s not as easy as it seems, but teachers and counselors are here to help. They can help students and the parents prepare for the testing season. Parkview Guidance Counselor Ms. Amy Barrett said, “Kindergarten, First and Second Graders take the Terra Nova May 2-5, while Third and Fourth Graders take the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) April 11-15.  MAP is over Communication Arts and Mathematics, and the Terra Nova is over Reading, Mathematics and Spelling.” While these tests aren’t put on the students’ grade card, they are still used to judge the schools teaching ability, so, the students need to be prepared. “Parents need to make sure the children eat healthy meals, sleep well the night before, and don’t schedule doctors appointments the day of testing,” Ms. Barrett explained. When children take tests, it’s best for them to be in the same environment they are usually in for classes. Having an incentive to do well on a test that doesn’t effect your grade can also help. In the Middle School, students who do well on the MAP earn incentives to reward their good performance. Middle School Guidance Counselor Mrs. Lisa Pruitt said, “For several years we have taken students who have scored well on the MAP to Worlds Of Fun. This year we have added a reward for good attitude and good effort. The classroom teacher observes and evaluates their attitude and how much effort they put in to it, and rates them. They give them points for things like bringing a fiction book to read if they finish early. With the points they earn, they can earn a more immediate reward, such as skating and movies.” This is believed to be a great way to interest students in a test that doesn’t effect their grades. However in high school students don’t have to worry about finding motivation considering most of the tests are applied to their grades. High School Guidance Counselor Mr. Edd Green said, “The End Of Course (EOC) test, which is the week before and the week after the school’s Spring Break, replaced the MAP. Now students are no longer tested on their grade level, but tested when they finish a certain class. When students learn more about a subject areas for EOC it can help their future and college and career options later in life.” The test score is actually a percentage of the students’ second semester grades, so they always need to try their best so their GPA won’t suffer. When students study for the EOC it gives them a better understanding of the subject matter and shows them where their weaknesses are. Knowing your areas to improve can help you understand what you need before college. Whatever grade a student is in, testing is an important part of the learning experience. It can give students a greater understanding of the material, and teachers a chance to see how well the material is getting across. While not everyone likes testing, it is an unavoidable part of the system and as such people need to prepare.

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