Freeport MSTP Parent Math Test Preparation Day

The Freeport Math, Science, and Technology Partnership Staff Development Program conducted a Math workshop for parents on Saturday, December 9, 2006.  The program was designed to meet the needs of parents and students in Dodd Middle School and Atkinson Intermediate School.  The aim was to give parents the opportunity to learn firsthand what is expected of their child by New York State for the Mathematics assessment that will be administered in March, 2007.

The idea was borne out of parental inquiries as to how the school can help parents work with their children to prepare for the upcoming assessments in an effort to improve student performance.  On Parent Conference Day the MSTP program distributed a questionnaire for parents to complete as they waited to meet with teachers. An overwhelming number of concerned parents expressed a high degree of frustration with their own inability to help their children with homework assignments.  It was not due to a lack of effort, rather it was a lack of understanding of what was expected.  As a result of this survey, the MSTP Team created a Parent-Student Test Preparation Day.  The concept was to bring the parents and students into school together and provide them with the opportunity to work with each other in the classroom.  They would share in the experience of working side by side to solve problems.   Individualized test preparation materials for each grade level were distributed to participating teams as an incentive for their commitment.

Each parent-child team was assigned an instructor in a classroom and given a practice test to complete.  In an attempt to mirror the actual test, we limited the time and provided minimal assistance during the test-taking activity.  Upon completion of the test, in the allotted time, there was a test review session with the participating teacher.  Prior to the day’s activities, teachers in the Freeport MSTP team prepared lessons and test taking strategies to be shared during this instructional time.  Each question on the test was reviewed, answers were shared, explanations offered, strategies discussed and follow-up questions were addressed.  Each team left with a workbook of test preparation materials which can be completed at home.  Included in the books was an answer key complete with detailed explanations for each problem and other test taking tips. 

The parents were with their children throughout the day and experienced the stress placed upon their children to perform within a limited time period.  They were also given insight as to what extent teachers in the Freeport MSTP program have gone to prepare their children to meet the state mandated standards.   

The day’s events were an attempt by the MSTP team to foster the bond between the home and school by connecting the community and the schools.   A key component of the program is to develop and nurture the relationship parents have with the school system.  It is the belief of the Freeport MSTP team that there is a direct link between the connection a child has with the school and his or her level of success in school.  Furthermore, the stronger the attachment, the greater the level of achievement and success the child will attain.  The MSTP Parent Test Preparation Day took that relationship to a new level!

Finally, it is important to recognize those people who helped make this experience a successful one.  Mr. Robert-Wayne Harris, the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, provided the test preparation materials and additional funding.  We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to the principals of each building.   Mr. O’Mard at Dodd and Mrs. Carter at Atkinson continue to offer their unwavering support of our program and for giving participating MSTP teachers the latitude to be innovative in their classrooms in order to infuse Mathematics throughout the curriculum.  Most importantly, we honor the effort of the parents who devoted the time to their children and attended our seminar.  Last, but certainly not least, we commend the teachers listed below who were willing and able to MAKE A DIFFERENCE in the lives of many students.