| By Jenna Ladouceur |
This blog was originally posted by Peterson’s and is reposted here.
Bridging the Gap Between Test Prep and Classroom Instruction
With education changing as frequently as the seasons (probably even more so, let’s be honest), we know you’re doing your best to ensure students, fellow staff, and parents have everything they need to succeed in an evolving landscape. When it comes to standardized testing, you’re likely also doing your best to implement practices that align with the current landscape of testing, while trying to no overwhelm students, parents, and teachers. However, there’s a common misconception that test prep is a separate entity from classroom learning. The integration of test prep programs, when strategically implement, can serve as a powerful teacher support network, providing valuable educational resources and edtech tools for teachers that enhance classroom instruction and contribute to improved student learning outcomes. Let’s discuss exactly how.
Test Prep as a Resource Hub for Teachers
In November 2024, the CEA (Colorado Education Association) released a survey of its members on the challenges they face in schools. Teachers were asked to name five primary problems in their jobs. Stress and burnout topped the list. When educators were asked in another survey, “ What are the top three sources of stress in your job right now?”, twenty-one percent stated that preparing students for standardized tests was a stressors, as well as a lack of support from school administrators at 16 percent, according to the RAND Corporation’s 2024 State of the American Teacher Survey.
There Must Be a Better Way to Approach This
Test prep should naturally align with teacher curriculum and student outcomes, but often, it doesn’t. That’s why coming alongside teachers to provide content that directly aligns with state, national, and test-specific standards is so important—providing teachers with supplementary materials, practice questions, and example responses that mirror test formats without sacrificing curriculum attention. Continue reading the full blog here.
Is your school ready for more robust test prep resources? Explore Gale Presents: Peterson’s Test and Career Prep and request a demo.