Surviving the CMTs (For you and your child!)

March 7, 2011 | Posted in: Class Updates

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It’s that time of the year!  CMTs.  Connecticut Mastery Tests.  Beloved by many, feared by many, anticipated by all.  This is a time of the year that can bring about all sorts of feelings in your kids, so in hopes of us presenting your child with a consistent message, I wanted to share with you some of things I tell the kids.

I get two questions more than any others:  Why do we need to take the CMTs?  What will happen if I do poorly?  The first question is easy.  Kids take the CMTs for several purposes:  To see how well kids are learning core skills in Connecticut, to see how well teachers are meeting the needs of students, and to see if students need some extra instruction or support to be more successful in school.  (Did you note how similar the three of these reasons sound?)  The second question (What will happen if I do poorly?) is a bit tougher, but honesty works best, I think:  Kids are not retained (held back) because of CMT scores.  In fact, we don’t get the scores until the summertime – just a few weeks before you get them.  Scores will not effect report cards, placement in classes, homework load, how mean of a teacher the kids get ( 😉 ), nor will any of the other daunting prospects come to fruition.  Their performance helps us to decide what skills we need to emphasize in the future (when we see a group of students struggling with a particular skill) and what skills we can perhaps deemphasize in favor of other priority areas.  At “worst”, a weaker performance on CMTs might help teachers to determine that a student would benefit from some extra support in school to help them shore up weak areas.  (I always point out that this helps them to understand tough stuff better so that it is no longer frustrating – so how much of a “worst case scenario” is is really?)

Some kids like the CMTs.  Some kids hate them.  Some are excited.  Others find them dull.  Some are confident.  Others are nervous.  Only you and your child know what descriptions apply in your home.  But when asked what worries or fears kids have about the CMTs, the most common answer in a discussion last week was “I’m worried that my parents will be disappointed in me if I do badly.”  So often, we (myself included) put pressure on your learners without realizing it.  Last week, I pointed out to kids how ridiculous it is to try to calm kids by saying that the CMTs are “no big deal” while we give them review packets, special practice opportunities, special testing environments, etc.  It’s obvious to them – the CMTs do matter.  So rather then telling the kids that the CMTs are “no big deal,” I try to reassure them by reminding them of my expectations:  I do not expect perfection.  Nobody will get a perfect score.  It just doesn’t happen.  But if they can leave the test being able to say that they gave their best possible effort, that they worked carefully, that they read the directions, and that they checked over their work, then I will be ABSOLUTELY proud of them.  My praise to them is not contingent on their success, and I urge you to relay the same message to them from you.

How can you help your kids to find success on the mastery tests?  Here are some ideas:

• Provide your child with a healthy breakfast the morning of the test.  A hungry kid is a less careful kid.
• Help him or her to get a good night of sleep.  I don’t have any espresso for the kids in the morning.  🙂
• Foster a low-stress morning.  Having everything ready avoids missed buses, morning chaos, and arguments.  Think zen.
• Remind your son or daughter: You’re proud of them and know they will do their best.  (Note:  “do their best” NOT “do well”)
• Help your child to pick out comfy clothes that don’t itch or pull.  Break out the sweat pants!

Remember, keeping a low-stress testing window for your child will help to accomplish the same for you.  Thanks, as always, for your support!