April 2, 2008

Dear Parents,
Talawanda Middle School will begin the 2008 administration of the Ohio Achievement Tests on Monday, April 21. This year, tests will be given for each grade level on alternate days. Please review the schedule below and encourage your child to be prompt and in attendance on all test days.

The Ohio Achievement Tests ensure that families and teachers know whether each student has learned the skills and information in reading, math, science and social studies expected at each grade. The achievement tests can help identify specific areas in which a student needs extra support and practice. Teachers and families can then work together to ensure that a student gets the help that he or she needs. The achievement tests also help identify when students have gained a strong understanding of material and are ready to be challenged by more advanced concepts and activities. By the end of each grade, your child is expected to know and be able to do, what is described in the Ohio Academic Content Standards. By meeting expectations, your child will be on track for continued success beyond the current grade.

In order to get the most reliable results possible, it is important that students become familiar with the format of the tests. Therefore, your child’s teachers are using problems and exercises that are formatted in the same way as the Ohio Achievement Tests. The Ohio Department of Education’s Student Success Web site at www.success.ode.state.oh.us gives parents easy to understand explanations of the concepts that children need to know to be proficient. This web site gives detailed explanations of each question, the scoring guidelines for the questions, and explanations of each possible answer choice. Also, practice tests are available to parents online at: http://ohio3-8.success-ode-state-oh-us.info/.

Your interest in your child’s performance is, of course, important. After all, you are your child’s most influential teacher! You can work with your child at home to practice reading, writing, mathematics, social studies, and science. It is, also, important that your child get plenty of rest the night before these tests. We will provide a small snack on test mornings, so it is not necessary for you to vary from your normal breakfast routine.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions concerning the Ohio Achievement Tests or your student’s test schedule. Greater student success can be expected when home and school are working together!

Sincerely,

Sharon Lytle
Principal