EASE MY MIND… Helping students with Test Anxiety Jeni Janek, M.Ed., LPC
WHAT MESSAGES ARE YOU KIDS GETTING ABOUT TESTING? • Pass the test, or do your best? • What comes first, character or test? • Do whatever it takes to pass… • Score, Score, Score!!!
WHAT IS ANXIETY? • Excessive worry, anticipatory cognitive process involving repetitive thoughts related to possible threatening outcomes and their potential consequences • Anxiety is manifest in three ways: cognitively, behaviorally, and physiologically. • The majority of adolescents who are anxious are not disruptive, and are more likely to withdraw. • They may appear to educators as unmotivated, lazy, or less capable than peers. http://www.nasponline.org/resources/principals/anxiety_nassp_oct09.pdf
TRAIT VS. STATE ANXIETY Trait Anxiety State Anxiety • Chronic • Occasional • Pervasive • In certain areas • Not situation-specific • Situation-specific • Basis for anxiety disorders • Clear trigger • Generalized Anxiety • Not connected with Generalized Anxiety • Occurs in all environments and conditions • Only in certain environments and certain conditions http://www.nasponline.org/resources/principals/anxiety_nassp_oct09.pdf
IN YOUR MIND AND YOUR BODY https://www.ets.org/s/praxis/pdf/reducing_test_anxiety.pdf
ANXIETY AWARENESS ON YOUR CAMPUS; PRE-TEST She’s already anxious… • Frequent trips to the nurse when benchmark/testing conditions are present • Avoidance of benchmark/testing conditions • Excessive need to go to restroom • Tardiness or absences that seem to center around testing dates • Fearful of failure; imagined or real consequences • Acting out or distracting behavior
ACCOMMODATIONS- WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE THE BIG DAY • Be familiar with those who may need accommodations (educators and/or special education staff) regardless of placement* Have a plan Test the plan Evaluate the plan
Know allowable accommodations for students who exhibit a debilitating condition (anxiety) during testing
ANXIETY ALLEVIATION TOOLS • Breathing Exercises: 10 deep breaths, in the nose and out of the mouth • Imagery • Positive Self Talk • Comfort tactile items (stress balls, etc.) • *Use of music (without words) https://www.ets.org/s/praxis/pdf/reducing_test_anxiety.pdf
POSITIVE SELF TALK https://www.ets.org/s/praxis/pdf/reducing_test_anxiety.pdf http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/14/testing-anxiety-research_n_809221.html?
IT TAKES A VILLAGE… • http://teacher.scholastic.com/professional/assessme nt/take_out_pencils.htm
SUCCESS COMES FROM WITHIN…. • TRUST • BELIEVE • LEARN • SUCCEED
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