Gibault Children's Services - Gibault, Inc.

ISTEP at Gibault
March in Indiana brings to mind that fi rst Crocus poking its
purple blossom out of the snow drift. For schools in Indiana
it means the beginning of standardized testing. Students
in most grades are going to take ISTEP assessments as
well as the Graduation Qualifying Exam during the second
week of March. This can be a daunting time for students
enrolled in classes at Gibault. Test anxiety along with past
performance can discourage even the best of students. To
prepare Holy Cross students for these assessments, lessons
are planned to coincide with the state standards. Many
classes include some form of a “quick check up” review of
previously covered material at the beginning or end of class.
But as the time for the GQE assessment draws near
organized study sessions are scheduled after school for those
students needing to pass in order to receive a diploma. (The
GQE measures achievement in English and Mathematics.)
These students meet with teachers for an hour a week to
review material that will be on the exam and receive teacher
insights on test taking.
The students seem to realize the importance of these
assessments and appreciate the opportunity to prepare for
the tests.
Middle School Teacher Karen Olsen works with a group of students to
prepare them for the ISTEP.
Karen Olsen, Teacher
Students work with Gibault
teachers during the school week
to review materials they will be
tested on during the ISTEP and
GQE.
It is a diffi cult task for our
students to pass the ISTEP.
Many arrive in our
care without the proper
background to successfully
complete standardized
testing.
This is further compounded
when a child arrives only
days before these tests are
given.
Sadly there is no rule to help
children in these situations.
This is why teachers at
Gibault work diligently to
help our kids make the most
of their situation as they
prepare to take standardized
tests.
14 MESSENGER | Vol.50 No. 1 2010