Standardized Testing
TerraNova Testing Information
Testing Dates: March 31st - April 3rd
The
TerraNova is a test designed to measure achievement in the basic
skills taught in schools throughout the nation. The subject areas
measured are Reading/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social
Studies, Word Analysis, Vocabulary, Language Mechanics Mathematics
Computation, and Spelling.
The TerraNova Test is a norm-referenced, standardized achievement
test. Norm-referenced means that each child's achievement in a
broad area, such as language or mathematics, can be compared with
other students' achievement in about the same grades. Achievement
means just that--the test provides a "snapshot" of how much
learning the student has achieved so far. The test measures the
basic content and skills that are most common to curricula
throughout the country. It cannot possibly measure, nor should it
attempt to measure, the full curriculum of a particular classroom
or school.
1)
When will my child take the TerraNova Test?
Students in grades 6-8 are required to take the TerraNova
Achievement Test annually in April.
2)
Who will administer the test?
The test will be administered by the core/exploratory teachers to
all OBMS students.
3)
Is the TerraNova a multiple-choice test?
All of the questions on the TerraNova are multiple-choice
questions. Students must mark their answers on an answer
sheet.
4)
Can my student use a calculator with the TerraNova?
Students in grades 6-8 are permitted to use a calculator on
designated portions of the math test.
5)
What is the time frame for testing?
The testing takes place over a four-day period. The actual test
administration time is as follows:
Grade Levels Total Testing Time
6-8 16-18 5 hours, 25
minutes
6)
Will there be assistance or a different schedule for special needs
students?
If you have a special needs student, appropriate accommodations
will be made according to their IEP.
7)
How will I know how my student performed on the
TerraNova?
Information pertaining to your student's test results will be
mailed to you in a Home Report at the end of the second semester.
This report gives parents an overview of how their child is doing
in all areas tested when compared to students across the nation.
The scores are returned in National Percentiles and are represented
in a bar graph. The 50th percentile means that the student is on
grade level.
8) How can I help
my children do their best on the test?
Explain the purpose of the test to your children. Let them know
that the test will be useful in identifying the skills and
knowledge that they have already mastered and those that they need
to learn. Convey a positive attitude about the test and encourage
your child/ren to do their best. Let them know that some items on
the test may cover material they have not yet studied, and they are
not expected to know all of the answers. However, encourage them to
try all of the items, to pay careful attention to directions, to
use their time efficiently, and to review their answers if time
allows. Let your child know that you consider the test important,
but try not to be too anxious. Do not lead your child to expect a
reward for doing well, or punishment for doing not so well. Let
your child know you expect him or her to do the best he or she can.
Before the test, encourage the sort of good work habits that are
useful in test taking as well as in other work. These habits
include following directions carefully, avoiding careless errors,
and looking over the work. Be sure that your child has a good,
nourishing breakfast each day of the test and at least 8–9 hours of
sleep the night before.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the guidance office during school hours at 426-3678 and ask for Mrs. Hundtoft or Mr. Slominski.
