Press Release – Scholastic Testing Service, Inc. to Revise the Illinois Learning Standards Battery

Chicago, IL, October 15, 2009 — Scholastic Testing Service, Inc. (STS) announced plans today to revise its leading Illinois standardized assessment, the Illinois Learning Standards Battery (ILSB). This revision comes as a direct response to the needs of Illinois schools and districts to align with Illinois State Board of Education Standards and achieve AYP goals.

“We believe the Illinois Learning Standards Battery is the only test with national norms built specifically for use in Illinois with many questions developed specifically for the Illinois Learning Standards,” said John Kauffman, Vice President of Marketing at STS. “Because we test every single Illinois Learning Standard, there is no other test capable of delivering that high level of validity.”

The ILSB is a standardized battery of ability and achievement tests for grades 1 through 12. All items in each level of the assessment are designed to comprehensively test the fundamental learning areas: reading, language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, health and physical development and the fine arts. In addition, the battery includes subtests for quantitative and verbal ability.

STS assessment specialist Scott Rich said, “The revised ILSB will further assist educators with the various monitoring aspects of No Child Left Behind, to establish AYP achievement targets, and develop improvement plans. We are thrilled to continue contributing to the success of students in Illinois.”

A full revision of grades 3 through 8 will be available for the 2010 – 2011 school year. The remaining ILSB levels will be revised for use in 2011-2012.

About Scholastic Testing Service, Inc.
Since 1953, STS has been a premier provider of assessments for educators in developmental, early childhood, adolescent, and occupational settings. Additionally, as the sole provider of the renowned Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT), STS is also well-known for assessments and materials for creatively gifted students and adults.

STS is a privately held company with Research/Development/Scoring Divisions in Earth City, Missouri, and Administrative/Editorial Divisions located in Bensenville, Illinois. For more information, please call (800) 642-6787 or visit the STS website at www.ststesting.com.

###

Contact Information:
Scholastic Testing Service, Inc.
Scott Rich
1-800-642-6STS
srich@ststesting.com
http://www.ststesting.com

Preparing for the Parent-Teacher Conference

Establishing a productive parent-teacher partnership requires effort to create a positive, equitable relationship.   Whether you have already talked to your child’s teacher or have not yet met, a parent-teacher conference may be the perfect opportunity to start a cooperative partnership.  Here are a few critical steps a parent can take to ensure a productive and positive conference:

• Before the conference, talk with your child.  Children should understand why the conference is taking place. Is it a routine meeting for all parents, or due to a problem?  Find out if your child has any concerns with schoolwork or classmate relationships, which should be discussed with the teacher.
• Become familiar with homework assignments. How is your child doing with homework?  Are the assignments understood? Work getting done? The conference is the appropriate venue to discuss any homework issues or concerns.
• Prepare to collaborate. Teachers will most often give parents bad news because they want the student to succeed.  Naturally, parents can become defensive and protective, when hearing negative feedback about their child. Assume the teacher has your child’s best interest in mind, and respond calmly and tactfully. Set a date to further discuss the problem or work out a solution.  Remember, teachers are as afraid to give bad news as parents are to hear it.
• Ask Questions.  Prepare a list of questions to ask your child’s teacher.  Is my child meeting expectations or struggling in any area?  If you have any concerns about your child’s behavior or performance, take this opportunity to ask the teacher for feedback. Request any recommended materials or resources to further assist with your child’s educational growth.

Because the average conference lasts only 20 minutes, planning ahead will help you make the most of every minute and maximize the experience.  The parent – teacher conference provides a great opportunity for you and your child’s teacher to share information and insight.  You can develop a relationship with the teacher, open the lines of communication essential to student success, and be a team player in your child’s education.

2009 TORRANCE LEGACY CREATIVE WRITING AWARDS

Torrance Legacy Creative Writing Awards
Awards Recipients Announced!

View the list of top entries.

DESCRIPTION:   Scholastic Testing Service, Inc. (STS), The Center for the Gifted at National-Louis University, The National Association of Gifted Children (NAGC), The National Association of Gifted Children Creativity Division, and the Torrance Center for Creativity and Talent Development invite students to submit their best creative work to help celebrate the great legacy of educator/creativity pioneer Dr. E. Paul Torrance.

ACCEPTED GENRES: Poetry and Short Stories

Poetry submissions must focus on either “The wonder and wisdom of nature” or “What do you see in nature and how do you respond to it”?
Short stories must focus on one of the following creative themes: “Singing in One’s Own Key”, “Shaking Hands with Tomorrow”, “What is Magic” or “The Flying Monkey”. Students are encouraged to freely interpret these themes. Please also note that there is a 1,250 word limit for stories.

ELIGIBILITY: Students in grades 4 through 12 (specify the grade in which the student will be enrolled in as of September 2009). Please note, participants need not be enrolled in gifted programs.

PRIZES:    One grand prize winner from either category will be selected as well as five other genre winners and six runners-up in each genre. The grand prize winner will receive a $50 cash prize, creativity book, publication of his/her submission, NAGC Convention registration for his/her teacher, and NAGC Parent Membership for one of the participant’s parents. First place winners will receive a cash prize of $50 as well as publication of their entries. Second place winners will receive publication of their entries.

DEADLINES: We will begin accepting submissions on May 1, 2009. All submissions must be received by August 24, 2009.
RULES and SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:     Click ‘Download Rules and Entry Form‘ for rules and guidelines for all entries.

For more information or general questions, contact Scott Rich at Scholastic Testing Service, Inc.

How to Prepare for the HSPT®

As with any standardized test, taking the High School Placement Test (HSPT®) can be a rather anxious, but also, exciting experience for students and their parents. For many children it is a time to see how much knowledge has been learned/remembered from the previous year. For the junior/senior high school student, it is a time to see which high school/college will be right for them.

As the HSPT® Program Coordinator and Customer Service person here at STS, I receive many phone calls throughout the day from schools who have questions about our various tests. In addition, I regularly receive phone calls from parents inquiring on how to prepare for the HSPT®. While there are options for the high schools (practice tests and/or Pre-HSPT® test available), I explain another option to parents. Besides “do your best”, “take your time”, “take your best guess when you don’t know”, and any other cliché you can think of, there are books available at your local bookstore. Research & Education Association, along with Barron’s, have the “COOP/HSPT” or “COOP & HSPT” test preparation book, which is available for them to purchase for a review.

Testing more than likely will always be a part of our educational system. The more adults encourage children to perform to the best of their ability, the more relaxed and confident the students will become when it comes to taking tests or even taking the next step in whatever undertaking is available/required. The continued support of schools and parents will help ensure that STS is providing the best we can for our students which also enables all of us to live better lives, have better tomorrows, and look forward to a great future.

Jeanne Lively
HSPT® Program Coordinator

2009 Torrance Legacy Creative Writing Awards Update

We are pleased to have received over 200 fantastic submissions from young authors in the US and abroad, all of which focused on unique and creative themes inspired by the creative legacy of Dr. E. Paul Torrance.

As the August 24th submission deadline has passed, the judging process is now in high gear.  All award recipients will be personally notified on or about October 10, 2009, and results will be posted on this website immediately thereafter.  Each participant will also receive a Certificate of Participation in the upcoming weeks, so be sure to check your mailbox.

The Center for Gifted at National-Louis University, The National Association of Gifted Children (NAGC), The National Association of Gifted Children Creativity Division (NAGC-Creativity Division), The Torrance Center for Creativity and Talent Development, and Scholastic Testing Service, Inc., would like to thank the authors, their parents, and teachers for participating in the 2009 Torrance Legacy Creative Writing Awards.

Abundance of Resources Found at Chicago Homeschool Expo

I recently attended the Chicago Homeschool Expo in Schaumburg, Illinois, and was pleasantly surprised at the amount of helpful information available to visitors. The two-day event featured hundreds of exhibitors with a range of products to assist families with their curriculum needs.  Many speakers were also scheduled to give practical information and support to homeschool families.  Additionally, experienced homeschool parents were on hand to share personalized answers to those with questions, and workshops emphasized the practical aspects of homeschooling as well as how to promote educational growth.

From gifted students to struggling learners, I found an abundance of materials and practical assistance available at the Homeschool Expo.  The only things that seemed to be missing were exhibitors offering educational products that offered reliable, flexible assessments for home use.  In the coming years, STS hopes to fill this gap by reaching out to homeschool families and organizations to provide information about the variety of testing products we offer for home use.  Please contact us regarding your homeschool assessment needs. Additional product info is available on our website.

Getting Kids Off to a Good Start

The lazy days of summer will soon make way for the responsibilities of another school year. Parents everywhere are busy assembling school supplies, shopping for new clothes, and attending back to school events. Getting back into the swing of your school year activities is important and not difficult to do. With a bit of effort, organization, and a positive attitude, preparing for the back to school transition will be smooth and your child will be ready for the first day of school.

Set expectations for the new school year

Define what you would like to achieve this year. Do you want to work on the amount of television your child watches? Will you make lunches every morning, which calls for adjusting the time for your morning run? At what time do you expect to sit down each night to review homework? Now is a good time to decide your goals. Remember to consider your flexibility and schedule, as well as your child’s strengths and weaknesses when defining your expectations.

Create your routine

A family routine is a fantastic way to keep everyone on track. You can create a family bulletin board, calendar, or place post it notes on the refrigerator. Describe tasks you expect your children to undertake during the school year. Communicate it clearly with the whole family and make expectations easily understood.

Get organized early

Make sure you have the supplies needed for assignments not only for school but at home as well. If reading was not part of your child’s summer activities, add it to your daily routine now. Reviewing last year’s math will prepare your child for new challenges in the new year.

Get to know school administrators and teachers

Research shows that the more involved parents are in the child’s school, the better the child will perform. Volunteer for school related activities within the limitations of your busy schedule. Introduce yourself to the school principal during an event, and correspond with your child’s teachers via email when possible.

Have Some Fun

A new school year is fun and exciting time for children, and sometimes it can be a scary time too. So stay positive. Talk to them about their fears. And once you get them talking, listen and digest it. Remind them that their new worries only stick around for a little while. Visit the school for orientation. Take your child to check out the school playground, or discuss new sports and activities they would like to get involved in. Returning to the classroom should be something your child looks forward to. Be creative and make it fun!

The Importance of the Teacher-Parent Relationship

A recent study by the University of Chicago’s Urban Education Institute analyzed the characteristics and impact of the high rate of teacher mobility within the Chicago Public School (CPS) system. While CPS findings are not substantially greater than that of other large, urban districts, the results are staggering nonetheless.

The study found that schools, which are located in high poverty areas with large minority populations, lose more than half of their teachers within five years. CPS teacher turnover rates were most severe in the 100 lowest scoring/achieving schools. These low achieving schools also tend to be located in high crime areas and lose nearly a third of their teachers every year. Teachers from these schools attributed their high rate of turnover to student misbehavior, lack of leadership and incentives, safety issues, and, significantly, lack of parental support.

Studies show that schools that retain their teachers at high rates are those with strong, inclusive leadership and supportive parents, who are active in their child’s education. Thus, the teacher/parent relationship is a powerful component for fostering student and teacher stability in the classroom.

Feel free to share your thoughts about building successful teacher/parent partnerships in our schools with us.

Fine Arts in Your Curriculum

Is your school teaching Fine Arts? If so, what subject areas? If you are the product of a school system that did have classes in Music (chorus, band, music appreciation, musical instrument instruction) and Art (traditional art instruction, art history, art appreciation, graphic arts), etc., please share with us what difference these classes made in your life.

The Homeschooler’s Dilemma: To Test or Not to Test

Because many states now require test results as part of a homeschool student’s portfolio, the question of whether to test or not has caused considerable debate within the homeschool community. Scholastic Testing Service, Inc. offers several assessments that will allow homeschool parents to see their students’ areas of strengths and weakness, determine subject areas that require further instruction time, and to provide tools to verify student accomplishments.

Our Kindergarten Readiness Test assists in determining a student’s readiness for beginning kindergarten, and the School Readiness Test determines readiness for first grade. Both tests allow parents to learn a vast amount of information about their child’s abilities in a short period of time. The Educational Development Series (EDSeries) is our standardized battery of ability and achievement tests, which evaluates a homeschool student’s proficiency and measures learning comprehension against other students at the same age and grade level across the country. EDSeries results may even be used to develop the next grade level’s curriculum while meeting state requirements.

I encourage homeschooling parents to say yes to testing. Testing not only promotes self-confidence and thinking skills, but also stimulates academic progression. Testing is an important skill, which homeschoolers require for their further academic pursuits. Please visit our website www.ststesting.com or contact me at 1.800.642.6787 to assist in choosing the correct instrument for your homeschool assessment needs.

Scott Rich
Assessment Specialist