The Assessment

A kindergarten assessment will usually cover language and developing literacy skills (speaking, listening, writing, pre-reading), social skills (ability to separate from parents, desire for independence, ability to play well with others), motor skills (fine and gross), and basic math skills. While the tasks your child will be asked to perform may vary from school to school, you can expect developmentally appropriate activities that might include a selection of items from the following list:

• Identify basic shapes, colors, numbers and letters
• Pull a letter of the alphabet from a bag and name words that begin with the letter
• Name opposites (what is the opposite of hot) and rhyming words (what rhymes with cat)
• Identify whether an object is placed above, below, right or left
• Distinguish between words that sound similar (wish vs which, fly vs fry, etc.)
• Recognize common sight words
• Read a simple word by phonetically sounding out the letters (c-a-p)
• Sit in a group with other students and listen to the teacher read a story
• Listen to a short story and then put the events of the story in the correct sequence
• Listen to and follow multi-step directions (Walk to the bookshelf, pick out a book, and place the book on the table)
• Write first and last names
• Count from 0 to 20 (or 30), and then count backwards from 20 to 0
• Count the number of objects in a group and then match to the corresponding numeral
• Sort and classify objects
• Identify an object’s ordinal position
• Estimate the length of an object using a smaller object
• Use scissors to cut a shape from paper
• Watch the teacher make a pattern with blocks and then replicate the pattern
• Draw a picture of yourself with your family
• Identify animals and name their habitats
• Identify parts of the human body, food items, or other groups of objects
• Play and interact well with other students, both in the classroom and at recess

You should be aware that schools do not expect all children to have mastered all of the skills that will be assessed. Some tasks will be easy and some will be more challenging so that the school can assess a wide range of ages and developmental levels. They may also be watching to determine how the children react to unfamiliar questions and situations that are more challenging.

When you talk with your child about the upcoming kindergarten assessment, make sure that she understands that it’s okay if she doesn’t know everything that is asked of her. Also let her know that she can (and should!) ask for help from the teacher when she needs assistance.

Birth date vs. Readiness

You may worry that your child will not be ready for kindergarten, especially if she has a birthday between August to October and you are faced with the decision to either begin kindergarten early or wait a year. In reality, the birth date is not as important as a child’s development, which is why recommendations and assessments are important. Discuss your concerns with your child’s current teacher and with the admission officer, knowing that you all want what is best for your child.

The Gift of Time

Sometimes a school will recommend that a child wait a year before beginning kindergarten based upon recommendations, observations and the assessment. When this recommendation is made, it is by no means a reflection on parenting skills. Rather, it is based upon the child’s readiness to be successful and meet the expectations of kindergarten. To paraphrase a quote, kindergarten is a journey, not a race. Sometimes the best gift that parents can give their child is the gift of time and along with it, a better chance at future success.

Resources available from Amazon.com

Links to More Information

About.com School-Age Children: Is My Child Ready..?
http://childparenting.about.com/cs/k6education/a/schoolreadiness.htm

ChildFun: Kindergarten Readiness Assessment
http://www.childfun.com/index.php/parenting/grade-school/953-kindergarten-readiness-assessment.html

Education World: What Is the Right Age to Start Kindergarten?
http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr027.shtml

Family Education: Kindergarten Readiness Checklist
http://school.familyeducation.com/kindergarten/school-readiness/38491.html

Scholastic Parent & Child: Ready for kindergarten?
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=701

This is the third in our series of Tuesday Testing Tips, prepared by Megan Cohen of La Jolla Learningworks.

You’ve helped your child prepare for the ISEE. Test day has come and gone. Now, the moment you’ve anticipated finally arrives and you receive your child’s score report. You open the envelope and unfold the report. You scan it over for meaningful information, but it all looks like Greek! All you can think is, “What do these scores mean?!”

Rest assured, once you know what to look for, the ISEE score report can be a helpful tool to learn about your child’s academic achievement. Below are some tips to help you make sense of your child’s score report.

1. The score report you receive will present data on the four different multiple choice sections of the ISEE. The essay is not scored; an unscored copy is sent to each score you select to receive score reports on your child. Results for each of the multiple choice sections are presented as comparative and individual scores.
2. On the score report, you will find two categories: 1) Test Profile and 2) Analysis. The Test Profile contains information on how your child’s performance compares to other independent school candidates in the same grade who have taken the ISEE in the past three years. The Analysis gives section-specific information on how your child performed on the test.
3. The Test Profile section of the score report breaks down results in 4 different measures: scaled scores, percentile rank, stanine, and stanine analysis. The scaled score is a statistical measure based on the raw scores for each section of the test and used by the ERB testing company to adjust for differences in the versions of the test administered on different testing days. Your child’s scaled scores for each section are used to determine his/her percentile rank, ranging from 1-99.

   Since small differences in percentile rank are not considered significant, stanine scores are also assigned as comparative measures. Percentile ranks are divided into 9 different segments to identify stanines. The breakdown is as follows:

   Percentile Rank	1-3	4-10	11-22	23-39	40-59	60-76	77-88	89-95	96-99
   Stanine	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9

   It is important to remember that the group of students that takes the ISEE is much more competitive than those who take private or public school annual standardized tests. Due to this difference in the comparison group of students, you may notice that your child’s scores are lower in some areas than they have been on similar types of tests in the past. You should also know that admissions offices do not expect all students to be above average in their performance.

   The stanine analysis presents a student’s scores in a more visual depiction with a band to indicate the percentile range within the assigned stanine. It also allows comparison between the ability measures (Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning) and the achievement measures (Reading Comprehension and Mathematics Achievement).

4. The Analysis section of the score report indicates how your child performed on each section of the test. It provides more detailed information on your child’s strengths and weaknesses based on the specific types of questions he or she responded to on the test.

For more information on the specific types of questions on the ISEE, please visit the ERB’s website at http://isee.erblearn.org/guide.aspx and select “View This Book as a PDF” from the left-hand navigation options.

Three Levels

The ISEE has three levels with a different test for each level. The Lower Level is for students currently in 4th and 5th grade who are seeking admission to 5th and 6th grade. The Middle Level is for current 6th and 7th graders who are applying to 7th and 8th grades. Finally, the Upper Level test is for students currently in 8th through 11th grade who are applying to to 9th through 12th grades.

All of the levels have the same basic format with questions divided into five sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Math Achievement and an Essay. The number of items, length of time for each section and topics covered are as follows:

• Lower Level
  Total testing time: 2 hours and 20 minutes
  • Verbal Reasoning: 34 items, 20 minutes
    Synonyms
    Sentence Completion
  • Quantitative Reasoning: 38 items, 35 minutes
    Comprehension
    Interpretation/Application
    Higher Order Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension: 25 items, 25 minutes
    Humanities Passages
    Science Passages
    Social Studies Passages
  • Math Achievement: 30 items, 30 minutes
    Knowledge and Skills
    Computation/Comprehension
    Applications
  • Essay: 1 question, 30 minutes

• Middle Level
  Total testing time: 2 hours and 40 minutes
  • Verbal Reasoning: 40 items, 20 minutes
    Synonyms
    Sentence Completion
  • Quantitative Reasoning: 37 items, 35 minutes
    Concepts/Understanding
    Applications/Higher Order Thinking
    Quantitative Comparison
  • Reading Comprehension: 36 items, 35 minutes
    Humanities Passages
    Science Passages
    Social Studies Passages
  • Math Achievement: 47 items, 40 minutes
    Knowledge and Skills
    Computation/Comprehension
    Applications
  • Essay: 1 question, 30 minutes

• Upper Level
  Total testing time: 2 hours and 40 minutes
  • Verbal Reasoning: 40 items, 20 minutes
    Synonyms
    Sentence Completion
  • Quantitative Reasoning: 37 items, 35 minutes
    Arithmetic/Algebra/Geometry
    Concepts/Understanding
    Applications/Higher Order Thinking
    Quantitative Comparison
  • Reading Comprehension: 36 items, 35 minutes
    Humanities Passages
    Science Passages
    Social Studies Passages
  • Math Achievement: 47 items, 40 minutes
    Arithmetic/Algebra/Geometry
    Knowledge and Skills
    Computation/Comprehension
    Applications
  • Essay: 1 question, 30 minutes

All of the sections are scored except for the essay, which is photocopied and mailed to the schools to which the student is applying. Learn more about understanding ISEE scores. Also, the test is only taken as part of the school admission process and may be taken once every six months. Students are not allowed to take the ISEE solely for practice.

Learn more

Read more about the ISEE and register online

Download a PDF copy of the 2009-10 ISEE Student Guide

Download the What to Expect on ISEE preparation book

This is the second in our series of Tuesday Testing Tips, prepared by Megan Cohen of La Jolla Learningworks.

The following suggestions are simple things you can encourage your child to do before and during the ISEE exam to ensure peak performance.  Pass the following test-taking tips on to your child.

1. Mark up the test booklet. Show your work on math problems, make notes on reading passages, and jot down ideas for your essay.
2. Pace yourself. Don’t waste time on questions that you can’t solve. Move on! Go back to the more challenging questions at the end of the test.
3. Go ahead and GUESS. There is no penalty for guessing on the ISEE, so make sure to fill in an answer for every item.
4. Use process of elimination. If you can get rid of just one answer choice, you improve your chances of making a correct guess.
5. Use the answer choices to help solve Quantitative Reasoning problems. Remember that reasoning requires that you start with something you know, so knowing that one of the 4 answers choices has to be correct is a great start to solving a problem correctly.
6. Predict your answer before looking at the answer choices. For Verbal Reasoning, try to think of a word that would work as a synonym or complete a sentence correctly. For Reading Comprehension, think of the main idea of the passage before you answer the questions. Your prediction will help you quickly see the best answer choice.
7. Check your work. Make sure you answered all questions on your answer sheet and that you transferred the correct answer from your test booklet to your answer sheet. “Silly mistakes”—like skipping a problem on your answer sheet—can make a real impact on your score.
8. Practice deep breathing for clear focus. See the following article from ADDitude Magazine for more info on how deep breathing can help reduce distraction and anxiety: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/6564.html
9. Get a good night sleep before the test. Being well-rested will give you the energy you need to stay focused through the 2.5 hour test.
10. Eat a brainpower boosting breakfast. Steer clear of foods with refined white flour and sugar. Foods packed with protein (peanut or almond butter, eggs, turkey bacon, scrambled, Greek yogurt) and complex carbohydrates (whole grain cereal, whole rolled or steel-cut oats, whole grain or sprouted grain toast) will give you energy to last through the whole test. Pack a light snack, too. Low sugar granola bars or trail mix are great options.

Best of luck on your test!

This is the first in our series of Tuesday Testing Tips, prepared by Megan Cohen of La Jolla Learningworks.

Just like any standardized test, preparation for the ISEE can make a big difference in your child’s performance.  Not only can advance preparation maximize your child’s score, it can also set the stage for confident test-taking in the years ahead. The following suggestions will help you set your child up for success on the ISEE:

1. Read up! Obtain a copy of the informational booklet, What to Expect on the ISEE. Updated for the 2009-10 testing season, the revised booklet contains clear explanations of the format of the test, sample questions, and practice tests. You can order or download materials at: http://www.erbtest.org/parents/admissions/isee.
2. Get acquainted with the test. Increasing your understanding of the test will help you give your child the support he/she needs. Take a practice test online or just review sample questions. Make sure you understand the test format and scoring procedures to explain them clearly to your child.
3. Talk to your child about the purpose of the test. Let your child know that the ISEE is used to compare students from different backgrounds and that it is just one of multiple components of the application process. In addition, make sure your child sees the benefits of attending private school. Your child’s buy-in to the application process and his/her comfort in knowing that you are an active supporter in the process are essential factors for testing success.
4. Schedule test prep time. Create structure for your child’s test preparation with a regular time set aside in your schedule for reviewing the test, practicing foundational skills, and solving sample test questions. Sticking to a regular schedule for test prep at home will allow you and your child feel secure in knowing that you are on target for the test.
5. Demystify the test. Review the instructions and explanations of each section of the test with your child. Make sure your child understands his/her test group (lower, middle, or upper). Since each test is administered to multiple grade levels, it is important for your child to know that he/she will only be scored with others in his grade level.
6. Set up a practice test (or 2!). Prepare a timer, answer sheets, sharpened pencils, and a blue or black ball-point pen (for the essay response). Monitor the time for your child with 5-minute notices before the end of each section.
7. Find teachable moments in mistakes. Help your child review mistakes on practice test questions to learn how to perform better on the actual test.
8. Build up basic skills. Address weaknesses or gaps in your child’s fundamental reading, writing, and mathematics skills. Building up the basics will not only ensure peak performance on the ISEE; it will equip your child for success in the years ahead. A private tutor can help identify specific skills that need to be strengthened and work efficiently to shore them up.
9. Alleviate anxiety.  Help your child overcome nervousness or anxiety about taking the test. Practice deep breathing and visualization techniques to instill a sense of calm before and during the test. Identify and quell your own worries, so you do not pass them along to your child!
10. Practice, practice, practice! Just like regular piano or soccer practice, testing skills develop over time with consistent rehearsal. With ample practice, your child will be ready to perform at his/her best on test day.

La Jolla Learningworks offers test preparation programs that give students the skills, strategies, and confidence they need to perform at their highest potential on standardized tests, such as the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) for middle school admissions. All programs are 1:1 and include diagnostic testing, preparation materials, and practice tests. For more information, contact Megan Cohen at La Jolla Learningworks at megan@ljlearningworks.com or by phone at (858) 456-4569, or visit their website at www.ljlearningworks.com.

From January through the first part of February is prime time for taking the ISEE since a lot of schools have application deadlines around the middle of February. Check with the school(s) to which you are applying to find out what the best dates are for your child to take the ISEE so that you don’t miss the application deadline.

Select schools around the San Diego area cooperate to administer ISEE testing on their campuses. Upcoming test dates and locations include:

For additional test dates and locations, and to register online to take the ISEE test, visit the ERB ISEE web site.

Megan is a passionate educator with a firm belief in the effectiveness of individualized, one-on-one instruction. She specializes in reading intervention for children with dyslexia, study skills and metacognitive strategies, and standardized test preparation.

A San Diego native and La Jolla High School graduate, Megan received her B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley in International Political Economy and her Master’s degree in Elementary Education and California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

From August 2004 through January 2009, Megan served as Elementary Director for Wells Academic Solutions, developing a successful K-6 program.  Megan’s professional background includes teaching first grade through Teach for America in inner city Los Angeles, mentoring and tutoring inner city students, and presenting teacher-training workshops on school-site and for the California Association for Bilingual Education (CABE).

Megan is currently pursuing her Certificate in Educational Therapy through the UC Riverside Extension.  She has taken continuing education courses on reading assessment and instruction, dyslexia, and ADHD through the UC Extension Programs and the Center for Child Development at UC Irvine.  In addition, she completed Lindamood-Bell’s training on the language processing programs, Seeing Stars and Visualizing and Verbalizing.  Megan currently serves on the board of the San Diego Branch of the International Dyslexia Association (www.interdys.org) and is active in the Association for Educational Therapists (www.aetonline.com).

More information about Megan, La Jolla Learningworks, and their services that include ISEE test prep, may be found on their website at http://www.ljlearningworks.com/.

Megan Cohen, M.Ed., educational therapist, and director of La Jolla Learningworks, will be the special contributor for Tuesday Testing Tips. Megan brings a wealth of knowledge to An Educated Choice that includes a deep understanding of private schools in San Diego as well as years of experience helping students prepare for the ISEE. In the Tuesday Testing Tips, she will specifically address the test prep topics that parents and students have about the process. You can read more about Megan and her background here.

Do you have a particular question regarding the ISEE test that you would like for Megan to address? If so, post it in the comments section below or email us at info@aneducatedchoice.com.

Select schools around the San Diego area cooperate to offer ISEE testing on their campuses from November through April. Upcoming test dates and locations include:

Make sure to check with the schools to which you are applying for required tests and testing deadlines. For additional test dates and locations, and for more information on the ISEE test, visit the ERB ISEE web site or contact us at info@aneducatedchoice.com.