Help With Reading: Beyond NJ ASK Testing

Standardized Testing in NJ

Once again, we are fast approaching standardized testing time in NJ, when students in in grades 3-8 take a series of test that measure their proficiency in math, language arts (reading and writing) and science.   For some background on the NJ ASK test, checkout out our earlier blog post.

The NJ ASK test is a political hot potato.  Born from the No Child Left Behind law enacted in 2003, its primary objective is to measure school performance --- and to use these measurements  to remediate under performing schools and school districts.  Still, most parents would be well served to pay close attention to how well their children score on these tests;  they may, in fact, provide my the most reliable indicators on how your child is developing their skills in school.

At Think Tutoring, standardized testing is at the core of how we gauge a students strengths and weaknesses -- and develop personalized learning plans.  For example, before enrolling in our reading tutoring program at Florham Park center, students are tested in the following areas:

• Phonics
• Receptive Vocabulary (which measures a child's understanding of spoken words)
• Functional Vocabulary (understanding words within text)
• Comprehension
• Oral Fluency
• Speed

This battery of tests, in fact, goes far beyond what is measured by the reading test within the NJ ASK.   Moreover, in addition to identifying the deficit skill areas (for example -- inferencing and sequencing comprehension skills) our scoring algorithms determine grade level equivalency, that is,  the grade level at which your child is performing.   Most signficantly, however,  our test results are usually consistent with the NJASK results that students achieve.

Why Wait?

Most parents of struggling students don't need the results of a standardized test to tell them what they already know -- Their child needs help.  Time is the enemy.  NJ ASK testing takes place in May, and the results are usually not provided until late August or September.  Why not take action now?  Call Think Tutoring at 973-593-0050 to take schedule a skills assessment for your child.

Learning Strategies: How to Motivate Your Child

How to Motivate the Un-Motivated Student

Motivating students to learn can be one of  the most difficult challenges parents and teachers face.  Quite simply, some kids are not intrinsically motivated to learn.   Many others lose confidence when their efforts don't translate into good test scores or grades.

How can we make students want to succeed academically? Should we exhort them? Punish them? Entertain them? Perhaps; there are proponents and critics for each of those strategies.

The experts agree, however, that the most successful techniques teachers and parents can use to motivate students include engaging their interest, displaying enthusiasm for what they are teaching, and establishing challenging, but achievable expectations.  At  Think Tutoring, we employ various motivational stratagies -- particularly geared towards our younger (elementary school) students.

Positive Reinforcement

Most importantly, our tutors and instructors we provide positive reinforcement and encouragement to kids who put forth their best effort .  We continually let them know that their hard work willl pay off, and we do so without heaping false praise.  Learning takes time; on some days, kids may struggle a bit, but our instructors are there to keep them going, to make students truly believe that hard work pays off.

Tangible Benefits

On a lighter  but no less important note,  each student also earns Success Points for demonstrable effort and work well done.  Students save their points in a pencil pouch and can exchange them for fun prizes -- toys, games and gift cards of varying value levels.

Kids Need Down-Time

Finally, we also have "Success Time", where kids can relax after each instructional hour by playing nerf basketball, jumping rope or board games such as the Think Tutoring  favorite, Blokus.  This "down time" gives kids a little breathing room and helps our environment remain devoid of stress.  At Think Tutoring, we believe that learning environments should both serious and fun.

If your child needs the help of a math tutor or reading tutor,  think about Think Tutoring --- where highly experience certified teachers can help motivate your unmotivated child.  For more information, call us at 973-593-0050.

Study Skills Programs: Can Your Child Benefit From One?

Much to their parents dismay, some kids -- very bright kids, in fact  --  struggle in school, even though they have the smarts and skills to earn good grades.   This makes their poor grades all the more frustrating.   For many,  a lack of good study habits and practices is the missing link.  Parents can take note by looking for these telltale signs:

1. Start by reviewing their notebooks or backpacks. Are assignments or handouts shoved in haphazardly? 
2. Does your son or daughter lose  homework assignments?
3. Next, review their study habits. Does she start her homework at the last minute, or take an inordinate amount of time to finish? 
4. Does homework or studying get started in one room and finished (hopefully) in another.
5. Finally, is her  finished work sloppy or incomplete? 

If any of these conditions sound familiar,  your child could benefit from a study skills program -- in school, at a learning center or even in the home.  Here are a few simple steps to get you started:

Create Distraction-Free Study Space:  Students need space free of distractions.  Ideally this would be a space with minimal traffic, free of TV, video games or telephones, but a space in which they can be monitored.  

Establish Routine:  Establish set times after school and on weekends for studying.  Ideally, other activities are scheduled around study time, but often this is not practical.  In this scenario, schedule study times before or after activities, thus keeping the established routine of a daily study time.
 
Prioritize Assignments:   It's critical that your child creates a list of assignments with an assigned priority (Low, Medium, High).   It can be a simple list  on paper or as involved as a white board or calendar which is updated every week, if not day.  By maintaining this list, your child will  be required to stop and and think about each assignment and prioritize it based on length, difficulty, their current understanding of the topic and due date.   This is the foundation of good time management and organization.

Establish Set Breaks/Check-Ins:  Having a set break or check-in time is an excellent way for you both to evaluate the workload and adjust if necessary. This is also time where you can quiz them for an upcoming test or help them strategize on areas of difficulty.   

These are the basics steps of most study skills programs and by implementing them at home, you have created the framework for good study skills and thus set the stage for future academic improvement and success.  You may also wish to enroll your child in a formal study skill  program, such as one offered at Think Tutoring.  For more information, call us at  973-593-0050.

SAT or ACT: Which Test Should Your Child Prep for and Take?

We have previously talked about the differences between the SAT and ACT, but here is a brief summary

The SAT Critical Reasoning Test

• The SAT consists of 10 separate sections covering the areas of Critical Reading, Writing and Math.   Most sections are 25 minutes, but the last 3 are a bit shorter.
• The SAT includes an essay for which the students are asked to take a position and support their argument by drawing on personal experience, history and literature.  The essay is factored into the overall writing score.
• The math section covers basic math competency as well as significant amount of Algebra and Geometry.
• Most importantly, the SAT is reasoning test;  in addition to testing core competencies in the subject areas, many of its questions require testers to apply a good deal of logical reasoning (example:  when a question appears to have two correct answers, the student must be able to discern, through reasoning skills, the one and only correct answer).
• Students are penalized for incorrect answers.  As a result, random guessing should be avoided.

 The ACT Test

• The ACT consists of 4 sections:  Reading, English, Math and Science.  An essay is optional.
• The ACT is a somewhat shorter test than the SAT; its 4 sections (excluding the essay) take about 3 hours.
• Fundamentally, the ACT measures a student’s academic achievement in school.  It does not require testers to apply the level of critical reason needed for the SAT.
• The math section includes a number of trigonometry questions.
• There is no penalty for incorrect answers.  As a result, testers should not leave any question blank.

Which Test Should My Child Take?

Now that most colleges accept either test, parents and students, faced with a choice, frequently ask us “Which is the Right Test?”   In our experience --- at Think Tutoring, many students often take both the SAT and ACT practice tests prior to enrollment --- the simple answer is “either.”  We say this because with few exceptions, test scores generally correlate between SAT and ACT with great consistency.  For example, a student who scores 550 on the SAT math, will almost always scores in the 22-23 range on the ACT.     Likewise, a student that has a composite score of 30 on the ACT (a very good score – the maximum is 36), will likely score in the 2100 area on the SAT.

There are many, many critical decisions to be made when applying to college.  We urge parents and students not to over think the test prep choice.  Have your student take a practice test for each, identify the one with which he is most comfortable, and then move on to getting ready for the test.

Think Tutoring, based in Florham Park, NJ, offers premier SAT and ACT Prep programs with options for private or small group instruction.  Call 973-593-0050 for more information.

SAT Test Prep: When is The Best Time to Take & Prepare for the Test

When should your child prep for the SAT?

High school juniors and their parents are just now starting to think about the college selection and application process, and they are quickly learning that there’s a lot of work to be done, including school research and  visitations, meetings with guidance counselors and preparing for and taking one of the college entrance examinations (SAT or ACT).

Like it or not, most college advisors or admissions counselors will tell you that the college entrance examinations (SAT or ACT) are among the three most important factors which will determine acceptance or rejection from a school (grade point average and difficulty of curriculum are the others)   Further, scores on the SAT or ACT can play a significant role in financial aid and scholarships.  For these reasons, it’s important that parents and students prepare for the SAT smartly.  This includes deciding on when to take the test.  Here are some guidelines:

1. Most students take the SAT two times, and if they haven’t done so already, they should plan to take it at least once during their junior year of high school.   Although the 2011 test dates have passed, in 2012, the SAT is offered in January, March, May and June.    If they haven’t already penciled in a test date, now is the time to make plans and register for one of these test dates.
2. Registering for the test is one thing.  Preparing for it is quite another.  When deciding on a test date, consider the amount of time your child can commit to preparing for the test.    For the serious college applicant, some form of preparation (whether it’s self-study, an SAT class, or private tutor) is absolutely necessary.  There is just no reason to go into these tests cold – without taking a number of practice tests/quizzes or without understanding the core SAT test strategies. 
3. Whatever form of prep you choose for your child, to achieve the best results, you should plan to start 8-10 weeks prior to the test date.
4. Choose a test date for which your child time can appropriately dedicate himself for the task at hand.  Students should treat test just like any other class – one that requires regular attendance and timely completion of homework assignment.
5. Consider your child’s full schedule of activities.  If they play fall and spring sports, but are relatively free in the winter, then January and February are the ideal months to prepare for the March test.    Conversely, if your daughter takes the test in January, but is busy with a school play and track and field from January through May, then summer may be the best time to prepare for the October tests.

The SATs is important, and preparing well for it is critical.   By planning proactively with your child, you can make sure that she prepares for and takes the test at the most optimal time.

Think Tutoring, based in Florham Park, NJ, offers premier SAT prep programs with options for private or small group instruction.  Call 973-593-0050 for more information.