The National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) recently published four parent fact sheets with information about student participation in state tests. These engaging Fact Sheets provide easily accessible basic information about state tests, as well as instruction.

Getting Help for Your Child When Taking State Tests (Fact Sheet #1) summarizes the purpose of state tests, and describes test resources that students may need. It also provides parents and families with tips on how to work with teachers to access these resources.

Participating in What Your Child is Being Taught and is Learning in School (Fact Sheet #2) provides strategies parents and families can use to be involved in their child’s teaching and learning. It suggests ways to improve two-way communication between parents and teachers, with guidance for families with students with disabilities and English learners.

State Testing of Your Child with a Disability (Fact Sheet #3) summarizes the resources that are available specifically to students who have a disability, an Individualized Education Program (IEP), or a 504 plan when they take state tests. The more parents and families know about these test resources, the more they can ensure that their child’s test performance contributes to measures of how well the school has met the needs of all children in the school. This Fact Sheet offers tips on how to be involved in decisions about providing resources to one’s child, and also how to prepare a child for state tests in academic subjects.

State Testing of Your Child Who is an English Learner (Fact Sheet #4) summarizes the state test resources that are available specifically to students who are English learners. The more parents and families know about these test resources, the more they can ensure that their child’s test performance contributes to measures of how well the school has met the needs of all children in the school. This Fact Sheet offers tips on how to be involved in decisions about providing resources to one’s child and also provides tips on how to prepare a child for state tests in academic subjects.