Revolutionizing the Way Students Prepare for Testing

How did the SRT begin?

It is the right of the test taker to be informed—prior to testing— about a test’s nature and purpose. The Student Readiness Tool (SRT) is designed to be a communicative way for students to not only learn about relevant tools and question types but have chances to interact with and practice them in the real test environment.

Students testing online need to understand the format, tools, and question types they will experience prior to a high stakes test. Lack of experience and practice using the technology can affect student outcomes. Research shows offering students learning opportunities that result in a true understanding of the testing platform and its features are more effective than using practice tests in preparation for achievement testing.

The SRT is the innovative and engaging tool that accomplishes this goal for students.

Why the SRT?

The SRT aims to support students in their understanding of online testing formats for developed statewide assessments, while minimizing the amount of time it takes to do so. The SRT allows students and teachers to prepare for testing during group instruction, however, students can also use the SRT independently as its available for families to access at home.

The SRT is an interactive online resource that demonstrates how to navigate TestNav and use its tools, experience and manipulate its question types, and learn about its various testing supports in an engaging manner. In real time, students can watch a tutorial video, then practice in the actual TestNav environment alongside. The SRT continually asks the student to successfully demonstrate their understanding of the tool, question type, or support feature so they get opportunities to practice.

Students who are in the same district for several years are alerted by the SRT with the word NEW! when a tool or question type is one they have not yet engaged with on an online test. This yearly routine helps students zero in on content that they have not seen before. Of course, the SRT remains constant year after year for review, which will support new students and students who need to review.

The SRT is NOT a high stakes or scored test, nor is it a mandatory unit of content for students. It is designed only as a support for students as they prepare for statewide testing in TestNav. Each student can interact with the SRT in a way that best fits their learning styles and needs.