What Parents Can Do To Help Their Child

• While test scores are helpful and important, keep in mind that they only measure your child's performance at a given point in time.

• Understand that children differ in their abilities.

• Be sure your child attends school every day.

• Encourage your child to be serious about tests without undue worrying.

• Avoid conflicts at home before your child leaves for school.

• Make sure your child gets a good night's sleep before tests.

• Make sure your child eats properly before tests.

• Ask your child's principal or teacher what you can do at home to help your child.

• Become aware of your child's school testing schedule.

• Try not to be overly anxious about your child's test scores.

• Don't judge your child on the basis of test scores alone.

• Meet with your child's teacher regularly to discuss his or her progress and ask the teacher what facts specific tests can give you about your child's achievement.

• Reassure your child that tests at school cannot measure all talents and abilities and those tests do not determine a person's value to friends and family members.

Source: N.C. Department of Instruction