Superintendent's Corner

The longer days and warmer weather clearly indicate that we are in the middle of spring and that summer cannot be far behind. This heralds the homestretch of the school year. This is a busy time for all of our students as they prepare for Standards of Learning (SOL) Assessments, Advanced Placement Tests, and Final Exams. While assessments only offer a snapshot of a child's abilities and capabilities, we encourage families to ensure our students are well-rested and prepared on testing dates. These assessments can profoundly impact our student's futures, and we would like all of our children to put their best foot forward. Schools will send information to families about assessment dates as they draw closer.

For many of our elementary students, this is also a time for field trips and field day events, where students and staff spend time as individual school communities in fun and collaborative activities. We encourage all parents and guardians to volunteer and participate when possible. Our school communities include our parents, staff, and students working together, and this is a great time of year to celebrate that collaboration.

One thing that has impressed me greatly about our school community is the commitment I observe daily from our parents in supporting our school division. I regularly meet with parents who are passionate about advocating for their children and helping us achieve our goals of enabling each student to reach their maximum potential. As educators, we work in concert with our families and our communities to educate our children so they can have the brightest futures possible. And here in Montgomery County, it is refreshing to see how committed our parents and community are to the process of public education. This is a great area to live in and raise a family, and I remain humbled to lead Montgomery County Public Schools.

Sincerely,

Bernard F. Bragen, Jr.

Test Preparation Tips

It’s that time of year again when students and staff prepare for Standards of Learning (SOL) testing. Parents and families often ask, “How can we help our children do their best, and how are teachers preparing our students for these tests?”

First, remind students that this is their opportunity to show how much they have learned this year. Also, one test score never defines a student’s capability. SOL review should be engaging and incorporated into ongoing instruction. The “forgetting curve” demonstrates that after forming a memory, we gradually forget more and more of that memory as time passes. (This is probably obvious to many of us when we try to assist our children with their homework and cannot remember how to do the assignment.) Repeated exposure to information at increasing intervals between repetitions leads to higher recall. Rather than creating specific review lessons, teachers are encouraged to continue instruction with new material while weaving in miniature reviews of critical concepts. Students need to be able to make connections to what they already know. Rather than blocking a large chunk of time to review one topic, teachers alternate review topics. This way, students can find links, similarities, and differences between ideas.

We are more likely to remember those things that we explain to someone else. When teachers create opportunities for students to describe and explain various ideas and concepts, this helps solidify student understanding.

Last but not least, learning should be fun! Give students activities that allow them to compete in educational games, connect to their lives outside of school, learn with others, and share their own thoughts. These activities make reviewing what they have learned much more enjoyable!

Ensuring that students are at school, on time, with full stomachs, and lots of love is the best way you can help your children prepare for end-of-year testing and daily success. Check out the pictures of what the SOL review looks like in our schools.

Email: berniebragen@mcps.org
Website: www.mcps.org
Location: 750 Imperial Street, Christiansburg, VA, USA
Phone: (540)-383-5100
Twitter: @mcpssupt