Standardized Tests | ADHD Information

Hello, fellow Texan!  How old is your son?  Mine is twelve and ADHD/dyslexic.  TAKS is a nightmare, and we just lived through the nightmare this week.  My son came home after taking the math test on Tuesday and asked me if he was going to be put "in the special class with the teacher who talks to you really slow, like you're a moron" next year?      He's currently taking math tutoring with a dyslexic mathematician four hours a week, who's helping him with the dyslexia interference he's having in math.  The tutoring is really helping him, but he can't sit and do three hours worth of math problems.  He simply cannot do it.  So, as you can imagine, I despise the TAKS . 

We (here in CO.) also have a standardized called the CSAP and we actually left public school so my daughter could avoid it. I wish I could say that solved the problem, but it didn't so we're returning to public next year.  I had her tested for LD's and she has dysgraphia (problems with writing)  and processing delays, even though she's gifted. So, next year, we'll have a 504 that should exempt her from the writing portion and make it easier.  Is he on an IEP or 504? If so, does it say that he is reading delayed and why are they making him take it?? Would it help to sit down w/his sp. ed. team?

Denmom,

A 504 does not exempt a child from a standardized test.  An IEP can, but the child usually has to be tested in some other way, like a lower grade test or a school based assessment. 

My son has testing in May here in California. Have been going over the materials that his teacher has provided. It's been helping at least with the math portion.

Hi Everyone,  I haven't logged on in ages.......   Doesn't anyone else have gripes about those damn standardized tests, I just hate the TAKS test.. ( I live in Texas).  

My son has taken the reading portion twice already, he is in spec. education for reading only, but even with the alternative test, he freaks out when faced with huge paragraphs.   I feel so bad for him because he feels so bad.  This is a big emotional blow for him, his self-esteem is on a titer toter as it is, imagine this kind of blow.   Has anyone else encountered this situation.  And did you do about it?

 

 

In Washington state we have the WASL.  I have observed kids getting uptight about it just from the repetition of teachers telling them not to stress about it.

In 4th grade ds did not get a score on the writing section because he only wrote two sentences in one of the sections and nothing on the other.  He said he couldn't think of anything.

Putting it all into perspective at the time, I talked to him about the fact that this was just one test in many that he will take in his school career.  I compared his inability to write to great writers that do not write for long periods of time due to writer's block.  This was just one point in time.

A year ago he took the the tenth grade WASL which is now required for graduation. He spent all day on the writing section as opposed to the customary two hours or so.
He passsed with a score he was proud of.

What happened between 4th and 10th grade?

Uh oh - I need to go now but will be back soon.

I'm back.

(I tried to help my dd at college on the opposite coast with a scavenger hunt...they needed a copy of dental records and copy of death certificate.  unfortunately our dentists and orthos were closed...maybe a copy form the  internet might suffice)

Other than tutoring for weaknesses and in areas of strengths.  teaching and coaching test taking strategies and practice taking tests at home and a calm matter of fact attitude toward anything that might be an anxiety producing situation has helped. 

He seems confident these days, which was also mentioned in his neuropsych eval.  Lowering their level of anxiety opens them up to their capabilities.

 

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