Re: options for stressed AS dd for state-mandated all students academic testing?

[Guest guest]

Does your child have an iep or 504? If so, you can advocate for additional time for tests or even a private room in which to take them. On Jan 4, 2010, at 2:39 AM, "jmlrgs1870" <jmlrgs1870@...> wrote:

My daughter stresses to the point of crying/meltdowns/can't think clearly whenever faced with tests--especially timed ones. In third grade, all students are required to take a series of tests to monitor the state's status in meeting the current 'standards'. She gets soooo worried about not getting everything right and the other kids telling her she's dumb or something. Any thoughts on how I can comfort her or is there something your school did to help your son/daughter work their way through this testing? Thanks! -Kari

[Guest guest]

My daughter gets very anxious around testing, too. I have two suggestions.

First, with respect to the state tests, remind your daughter that these tests

are designed to test the TEACHERS, not the students. In our state, the test

results are not used for evaluating students and don't affect their grades in

any respect. If that's true where you are, then emphasize that the test is

about testing the teacher and the school, and NOT the students, so your

daughter's job is just to do what she can, that's all.

Second, if you have an IEP or if you can get a letter from your daughter's dr or

therapist, you can explain to the school that her high anxiety is a direct

feature of her AS, and she needs an accommodation for the test. It may be that

it is untimed for her, or she is given double the time, something like that.

But the point is that your daughter's AS affects her ability in a timed-test

situation and puts her at a serious disadvantage in a way that is not fair to

put her through that. With my daughter, they officially gave her " double time "

-- and really, my daughter didn't need the extra time, but she needed the time

pressure REMOVED so she didn't worry about time.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

Diane

>

> My daughter stresses to the point of crying/meltdowns/can't think clearly

whenever faced with tests--especially timed ones. In third grade, all students

are required to take a series of tests to monitor the state's status in meeting

the current 'standards'. She gets soooo worried about not getting everything

right and the other kids telling her she's dumb or something. Any thoughts on

how I can comfort her or is there something your school did to help your

son/daughter work their way through this testing? Thanks! -Kari

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you and Dianne for your suggestions! I'm setting up a meeting to

discuss options tomorrow. I didn't know I could request some of these ideas to

help her. --Kari

>

> My daughter stresses to the point of crying/meltdowns/can't think clearly

whenever faced with tests--especially timed ones. In third grade, all students

are required to take a series of tests to monitor the state's status in meeting

the current 'standards'. She gets soooo worried about not getting everything

right and the other kids telling her she's dumb or something. Any thoughts on

how I can comfort her or is there something your school did to help your

son/daughter work their way through this testing? Thanks! -Kari

>