The MEAP is coming!  Testing for the Michigan Education Assessment Program will begin Tuesday, October 8th.  Please note the following dates and subject areas:

Tuesday, October 8  :  Reading Day 1

Wednesday, October 9 : Reading Day 2

Monday, October 21:  Math

Tuesday, October 22:  Science

It is very important that your child is at school on the above dates to take the MEAP test.  However, if your child misses any of the following dates due to illness or an emergency, the test will be administered on another day before October 25th.

Listed below are some helpful ideas for parents to use during this year’s testing window.

Preparing for Test:   – Note test dates on your home calendar; schedule appointments on non-testing days.  – Encourage your child to take responsibility for doing their best on the test.  – Encourage your child to ask questions at home and in class.  – Praise your child for work well done.

Testing Day:  – See that your child is rested and eats breakfast.  – Encourage your child to do the best work possible.  – Do not remove your child from school on test days for appointments.  – Send a healthy snack and water on testing days.

Test Anxiety:  Students may experience anxiety about tests.  A certain degree of test anxiety is normal and may help students work more efficiently and remain focused during testing.  Too much anxiety, however, can negatively affect performance.  The following strategies may assist students and parents in reducing test anxiety.

Parent Strategies for Reducing Test Anxiety: – Discuss the test openly and in a positive way.  – Emphasize that the test is only one measure of academic performance.  – Emphasize that test scores do not determine a person’s worth.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Ms. Sherlock