Welcome back! I hope that each and every one of you had a wonderful break last week. It‘s hard to believe that we are already at this point in the year. I would have to agree with the saying that “time flies when you’re having a good time” because this has been a great year and I look forward to a strong and positive finish!
Our staff and your students have been working very hard all year teaching and mastering the Georgia Performance Standards. Starting on April 12th students in grades 3-5 will be administered the Criterion Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT). All students in grade 3 must receive a passing score on the reading portion of the test to advance to fourth grade. Students in grade 5 must pass both the reading and math portion of the test to advance to sixth grade. Grades three and five are the only elementary grades in which the test results determine next year’s placement.
Reminders for Testing
1. Be sure that your child gets adequate amounts of sleep during the testing window – actually – getting enough rest is always a good idea : )
2. It is important that your child eats a healthy breakfast the morning(s) of the assessment.
3. Provide a calm and unhurried environment as your child gets ready for school.
4. Avoid tardies or absences. Once testing begins, students are not allowed into the classroom. Students perform best when tests are taken in a familiar environment. Make-ups are completed with certified personnel -other than the child’s teacher - and in an environment less familiar to them – typically a conference room.
5. Be supportive and encouraging, all the while being careful not to create undue test anxiety. We all perform our best when we are relaxed, rested, well fed and confident in our ability to be successful.
Thank you,
Gail May
