How to Raise Test Scores

1
How to Raise Test Scores

• Its not Rocket Science

2
Teach for the Test, Not to the Test

• Teach life skills
• If its not worth teaching, its not worth
  testing
• There is nothing on the test that should not be
  in the curriculum
• Create bridges between students natural
  intelligences and learning styles.

3
Expect the Best Accept No Less

• Each learner is unique.
• Approach learning through different pathways.
• Expect everyone to achieve.

4
Structure With Cooperative Learning

• Research has found that cooperative learning is
  the number one strategy for increased student
  achievement.
• Students need to work frequently in small groups
  to improve their ability to be part of a team
  effort

5
Teach test-taking Strategies Explicitly

• Test-taking skills are a metacognitive strategy
  that empowers students.
• Teachers teach students how to be good learners
  as well as good test-takers.

6
Stress Prelearning Strategies

• Learners use what they know to help them
  understand something new.

7
Chunk the Material for Deep Understanding

• Teach students to look for similarities, common
  groupings.
• Attach meaning to a subject by linking it to
  something familiar.

8
Organize with Graphics

• Displaying things graphically, students must
  organize large amounts of knowledge.
• Makes students think visually.

9
Reflect Through Mediation

• Use questions to probe for what students do not
  understand
• Think aloud activities

10
Express Idea with Mnemonic Devices and Visual Cues

• Remembering lists, e.g., states
• Remembering data, e.g., formulas
• Remembering rules, e.g., i before e, etc.

11
Seek Student Choices in Learning Situations

• Teachers can establish broad parameters and still
  give students choices.
• When students are interested in knowing
  something, they are much more likely to learn it.