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High School Academics – Parent Involvement Resources

Your involvement in your child’s educational development is very important for academic achievement. Tests represent only one aspect of your child’s development. Awareness, support, and praise of your child’s accomplishments in all academic areas are extremely helpful.

General test-taking tips for parents

Your child should:

  • Get a good night’s sleep the night before the test.
  • Eat breakfast the morning of a test.
  • Have a happy morning- avoid family conflict.
  • Practice at home with timed activities: – doing homework, playing a game, doing a chore.
  • Arrive at school on time in order to relax prior to testing time.

Encouraging achievement

  • Set high expectations for your child.
  • Make it clear that school is your child’s first priority.
  • Provide a quiet place for your child to study.
  • Help your child with homework.
  • Show interest in your child’s schoolwork.
  • Limit the amount of television your child watches.
  • Encourage your child to take challenging courses.

    • Taking the test

    Encourage your child to:

    • Stay positive.
    • Think of the experience as a challenge.
    • Read directions carefully.
    • Look at the wording of the question to determine what is being asked and to find key words.
    • Attempt every question; do not give up.
    • Go back and check work.
    • Write in complete sentences and be detailed when explaining thinking.
    • Answer each part of every question fully.

    For more information:

    View Test Score Reports from previous state assessments, SAT, ACT, and AP tests.

    hcpssfamilymath.weebly.com

    • On the HCPSS Family Mathematics Support Center website, parents and students can find valuable resources to support mathematical understanding and proficiency.

    www.marylandpublicschools.org/parents/index.html

    • Academic resources from the Maryland State Department of Education

    mdk12.msde.maryland.gov

    • The School Improvement in Maryland website contains practical information and tools to help educators and parents better understand state tests. Here you can find background information about the HSA and the Maryland School Assessments.

    www.hsaexam.org

    • The High School Assessment web site contains information on the specific High School Assessments, how students are assessed, and examples and sample tests in algebra/data analysis, biology, English, and American government.

    https://msde.blackboard.com/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp

    • At this site, the Maryland State Department of Education provides many resources for teachers, students and parents. You may download information about the Common Core State Standards and PARCC assessments in Maryland, as well as watch videos and interact with modules that are designed to model engaging instructional strategies.

    www.corestandards.org

    • The Common Core State Standards site provides information on the Standards, describes key shifts in Language Arts, and addresses Frequently Asked Questions.

    www.parcconline.org

    • The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) site provides information about the assessments that will be given to students in grades 3–11. You may take a practice test, learn about accessibility features, and find answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

    reportcard.msde.maryland.gov

    • The online version of the Maryland School Performance Report, includes scores on state tests.