Mohuch22
asks:
Q:
Is there a learning disability that prevents kids from doing well on standardized tests?
MY DAUGHTER IS A STRAIGHT A STUDENT AND KEEPS FAILING TESTS.
Question asked after reading: http://www.education.com/magazine/article/Stand...
In Topics:
Learning issues and special needs, Tests (preparing, taking, anxiety!), State education standards
Question asked after reading: http://www.education.com/magazine/article/Stand...
> 60 days ago
What the Expert Says:
Additional Answers (2)
many children of higher intelligence who otherwise are successful in school do not do well on tests. Sometimes it is stress, yes. However, I have experienced many children who simply do not do well on written tests and need to have oral. Or who do better at projects and papers, but have problems understanding what to study and how to recall the information.
The brain is a complex organ with different parts organizing memory and recall. One half is where the short term memory is stored. If 'cramming ' for a test, the brain will store in short term memory. This side of the brain is the logic, mathematical, black and white (literally seeing things in black and white) part. The long term memory storage is in color, stored with emotions, stories, and memories. If the short term memory is not converted to "color'...the brain will quickly forget the material. (who of us remembers the periodic table of elements? or the names and dates of important civil war battles?)
Sometimes the brain does not "connect" the hemispheres, and when that happens, the child cannot remember the information that they have recently learned. Particularly if it is learned out of dry textbooks or notes in black and white.
One thing to try is studying things in color, colored notes, pictures to help ideas "stick" and creating movies in your mind about the topic. Making up songs about the test to get the material to 'stick' or even creating a little play about the topic. Have her draw pictures of things as she makes notes.
You might also have her assessed. If she is having a hard time writing (dysgraphia) as the disability is writing processing she will not be able to covert her thoughts to paper.
The brain is a complex organ with different parts organizing memory and recall. One half is where the short term memory is stored. If 'cramming ' for a test, the brain will store in short term memory. This side of the brain is the logic, mathematical, black and white (literally seeing things in black and white) part. The long term memory storage is in color, stored with emotions, stories, and memories. If the short term memory is not converted to "color'...the brain will quickly forget the material. (who of us remembers the periodic table of elements? or the names and dates of important civil war battles?)
Sometimes the brain does not "connect" the hemispheres, and when that happens, the child cannot remember the information that they have recently learned. Particularly if it is learned out of dry textbooks or notes in black and white.
One thing to try is studying things in color, colored notes, pictures to help ideas "stick" and creating movies in your mind about the topic. Making up songs about the test to get the material to 'stick' or even creating a little play about the topic. Have her draw pictures of things as she makes notes.
You might also have her assessed. If she is having a hard time writing (dysgraphia) as the disability is writing processing she will not be able to covert her thoughts to paper.
Resources:
> 60 days ago
Hi Mohuch22,
You already have good answers and possible solutions to the testing, but I would like to add that some people do have a depth/spatial perception problem that prohibits them to see the test properly.
Example: Some tests that have multiple choice and have only a circle to color in, would be a test that they would have difficulty with. They can read the question, understand the question, recognize the answer, but when they go to mark the proper space, miss it, due to they are not on the circle they thought they was on. You'll particularly see this on the long EOG tests. Our school provides a different test, same questions, just a different way of answering. Instead of the student coloring in a circle, they get to just circle the entire answer removing the possibility of coloring in the wrong space. This may be something that you want to check into. You should be able to speak to your teacher about this and she could recommend your child be evaluated just to rule out that possible cause. If she is found to have this problem, your school should offer therapy to treat the condition and the teachers would be most co-operative in providing your daughter with an alternative test.
Best wishes!
You already have good answers and possible solutions to the testing, but I would like to add that some people do have a depth/spatial perception problem that prohibits them to see the test properly.
Example: Some tests that have multiple choice and have only a circle to color in, would be a test that they would have difficulty with. They can read the question, understand the question, recognize the answer, but when they go to mark the proper space, miss it, due to they are not on the circle they thought they was on. You'll particularly see this on the long EOG tests. Our school provides a different test, same questions, just a different way of answering. Instead of the student coloring in a circle, they get to just circle the entire answer removing the possibility of coloring in the wrong space. This may be something that you want to check into. You should be able to speak to your teacher about this and she could recommend your child be evaluated just to rule out that possible cause. If she is found to have this problem, your school should offer therapy to treat the condition and the teachers would be most co-operative in providing your daughter with an alternative test.
Best wishes!
> 60 days ago
