Assessment is big news these days.

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Get Tips To Put Your Child At Ease

In addition to taking "teacher-made" classroom tests, today's students must take statewide tests in a number of subject areas. Education Week's fifth annual 50-state report card on public education reports that 49 states now have statewide academic standards for what students should know and be able to do, and all 50 states test how well their students are learning.

The pressure of having to measure up can be hard on children. Susan Virgilio, Supervising Senior Editor for McGraw-Hill Education says, "For some students, taking a test can be a very stressful experience. Without the proper preparation, a perfectly capable kid can go into a testing situation and be thrown off by the questions, the formats, [and] the time limits."

Parents can relieve children's test anxiety and help them perform their best by following these tips:

Make sure your child attends school on a regular basis.
Encourage your child and celebrate academic accomplishments. This will develop his or her confidence and reduce fear of failure.

MORE SMART TIP STORIES Get additional tips on health, money and family-related topics

Make sure your child gets a good night's sleep and is well-rested before test day. A tired mind won't perform as well as one that is fresh.
Make sure your child eats a good breakfast. Fresh fruits and vegetables can reduce stress.
Prepare early. Find out when the test is and what the test is on. Develop a study plan and provide a comfortable place for your child to work.
Familiarize your child with the test question format. Test questions can be written any number of ways. Give your child practice in answering the types of questions he or she will face on the test.
Minimize distraction by not scheduling appointments or other activities during test week.
And most importantly, remain low-key. Don't overemphasize the importance of a test. Although a test score can provide valuable information about a child, it is not the only indicator of a child's ability.

Parents can help their children do their best. Your encouragement will foster their success.

Additional Resources:

• McGraw-Hill Children's Publishing
• Symptoms of Test Anxiety
• More On Test Anxiety