YUHSD calling on parents to help students prepare for AIMS

Attention all parents of Yuma high school sophomores: the Yuma Union High School District needs your help.

The class of 2006 will be taking the Arizona's Instrument to Measure Standards reading and writing tests for the first time later this month, and the math test in April. They'll be the first class required to pass the tests in order to earn their high school diplomas.

The district is calling on parents to help prepare students for success on the tests, which will be administered Feb. 24 for reading, Feb. 25 for writing and April 22 for math.

Strategies include:

Ensuring your son or daughter attends school on the days of the tests and takes the tests.

Not scheduling doctor, dentist or orthodontist appointments on test days.

Ensuring your son or daughter is rested and eats well the evening before and the morning of each test. Brains function best when they are well rested, have plenty of sugar reserves such as carbohydrates like pasta, pizza, cereal, etc. and are well hydrated.Students who get a little exercise before testing also show improved performance.

Ensuring your son or daughter believes that you believe in his or her ability to pass the test. Confidence is the tool students need most.

Being aware of the expectations of the tests. The reading test is a multiple-choice test. There are reading passages of both fiction and nonfiction. The questions are about the passages. The test is not timed.

The writing test is an assignment much like what the students might get in English class. The test directs the student to write a letter or an essay and describes the purpose and audience.

The math test is multiple choice. Calculators are not allowed. The test emphasizes conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills more than computation skills. The test is not timed.

Talking about the tests with your son or daughter. These tests are simply another kind of learning experience. Test-taking skills are part of life.

Remembering that the students will have four more opportunities to pass the test, but knowing it would make their lives easier if they pass the tests the first time.

Being your child's cheerleader. Give him or her your unconditional support. If he or she passes all of the tests the first time, celebrate. If not, provide reassurance that there will be other opportunities.

Parents with questions can e-mail Toni Badone, YUHSD assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, at abadone@yumaed.org or call her at 341-1479.

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Matt Riehl can be reached at mriehl@yumasun.com or 539-6851.