The end of the 2022-2023 school year is quickly approaching. The state of North Carolina mandates that students in third – eighth grade attending public schools take End-of-Grade or EOG tests. All public school students in those grades take Math and Reading EOG tests. Additionally, fifth and eighth graders also take an End-of-Grade Science test. Students and teachers have been working hard throughout the school year to prepare for the end of grade tests. The weeks and days leading up to EOG testing can be stressful for students and teachers. Parents for Public Schools of Pitt County reached out to see what advice the schools have for parents to best support and encourage their children during testing. They also shared ways parents can support teachers and schools during EOG testing.
Helen Vines Holloway, 5th Grade/Facilitating Teacher at Falkland Elementary –
What advice do you have for parents of 3rd – 5th graders in the weeks leading up to End of Grade tests to finish the school year strong?
Review, review, review. Iready and Study Island are excellent resources for review—also, student notes. Ask teachers for extra worksheets. Teachers usually have blank worksheets that have piled up throughout the year that can help support the review.
What advice do you have for parents of 3rd – 5th graders the night before and day of End of Grade tests?
Get a good dinner, get plenty of rest and a good breakfast, and please don’t upset the child before they leave home. It impacts their testing.
Are there specific ways parents and community members can support and encourage teachers during end of year testing? Are there needs parents and community members can help the school meet such as serving as testing proctors and if so what are those needs?
It would be nice if parents and community members come out and see what students are learning and the way they are being taught so they can implement these strategies in the home. Also, there is a huge need for parents to serve as proctors. It would mean a lot to see parents in the building during this time.
Latonya Nixon-Vines, Instructional Coach at Farmville Middle School –
What advice do you have for parents of 6th – 8th graders in the weeks leading up to End of Grade tests to finish the school year strong?
Parents should ask their child what they’ve been working on in class to prepare for their EOGs. They should encourage their children to pay attention to the class EOG review, and if they don’t understand a concept ask their teacher for help. At Farmville Middle School teachers send home EOG study guides and post them in their Canvas course in early May to help students and parents prepare for the upcoming assessments. When students have spare time at home, parents should have them work on those EOG concepts from the study guide. Make sure you take a look at what they’re working on for review. There are also websites listed for practice on the guides.
What advice do you have for students the day of Middle School End of Grade tests?
Do your best. Use the test taking strategies your teachers have taught you throughout the school year. Remember you are more than just a score on a test.
What advice do you have for parents of 6th – 8th graders the night before and day of End of Grade tests?
Parents should make sure their children get a good night’s sleep. If your child suffers from test anxiety, review some coping strategies the night before the test. Also, have your student review some of the key vocabulary from their study guides. The day of the test, students should have a good breakfast. Give them some encouraging words.
