The key is to maintain the integrity of the test while ensuring students can demonstrate what they can achieve independently. This article will guide you through best practices for supporting students during an assessment.
Setting Up a Consistent Environment
To create a fair and predictable assessment experience:
Use the same room for each session.
Ensure the same type of technology is used.
Schedule assessments at the same time of day.
Assign the same teacher to administer the test for each subject.
By recreating these conditions, students will have a consistent experience, minimizing factors that could influence their performance.
Providing Help During the Test
While students must work independently on the learning content, you can assist them with:
Technology issues, such as adjusting screen brightness, fixing audio, or resolving hardware malfunctions.
Navigating the interface, such as showing how to click to hear audio or access other features.
Do not help students with the specific content of the assessment, such as explaining a math problem or interpreting a reading passage.
Active Proctoring
Move around the room to observe students as they engage with the test.
Address any issues you notice, such as a student struggling to navigate the interface.
Ask students to slow down if they appear to be rushing through the test without engaging.
Tip: Watch for students clicking through without reading or attempting the questions and encourage them to focus.
Skipping Test Questions
In some cases, it’s okay to allow students to skip a question:
Encourage skipping if a question is clearly beyond their level, such as a long reading passage or a math problem they’ve never encountered.
Have students ask for permission before skipping a question to ensure it’s an appropriate choice.
Managing Different Completion Times
Students will finish assessments at different rates. To maintain a quiet environment for those still working: Provide each student with an activity they can transition to after finishing their test. Choose activities that are quiet and independent, such as reading or drawing.