Sound Off: How can MHS improve its CAASPP scores again?

Last year, Manteca High altered the way it administered the state-wide testing for juniors and saw an immediate improvement in Math and ELA scores. One change involved placing students in classrooms they were familiar with. From a student’s perspective, how can Manteca High continue to improve the testing atmosphere?

Nora Hystad, student reporter 

One change Manteca High could introduce to further improve the testing atmosphere for juniors during the CAASPP, could be implementing personalized pre-testing support sessions. These sessions would provide students with targeted assistance and resources tailored to their individual needs and areas of improvement. By identifying where some students might need additional support or practice, such as certain math concept or reading comprehension strategies, Manteca high can better equip students to succeed the exam. These support sessions could incorporate interactive activities, practice questions, and peer collaboration to enhance student engagement and understanding. This change would be effective, because it addresses the diverse needs of each student and provides them with the necessary tools and support to excel on the CAASPP. By empowering students with targeted assistance and resources, Manteca high can help, build there confidence and readiness for the exam ultimately leading to improved performance and outcomes.  

Stephany Medina, student reporter  

To maximize the scores, Manteca High should implement school beginning later on testing days. This would allow juniors to be well rested and not fall asleep mid-way through their test. This would allow for the students to remain attentive and likely put more effort into their testing. Furthermore, Manteca High should offer incentives for students to do well during this test. Teachers threaten that colleges will look at this, though not all juniors will care since they may not plan on furthering their education, to attend a college. Thus, this will lower the average for the students that are giving the test their best efforts. By offering incentives like a longer lunch, food, or a prize for the best scoring junior, students will maximize their efforts. 

Bryan Jimenez, student reporter  

I think that the school can implement a lot of things to further help jniors maximize the scores for CAASP testing is by Manteca High School providing a healthy breakfast for students in the morning to provide the necessary energy throughout the testing phase. School can begin much later for students to ensure they can sleep much more and be well rested. Furthermore, another way that students can achieve better scores is by changing the schedule to provide a longer break between the tests, rather than the traditional seven minutes, in order to refuel their minds for the next topic. 

Jesus Sarmiento, student reporter 

One change Manteca High could introduce to further improve the testing atmosphere for juniors during the CAASPP is to provide clear and simple instructions to ensure that students understand the testing procedures and expectations beforehand, reducing confusion and anxiety during the test. This can also make testing a lot less stressful as they know that the instructions are simple and easy to understand. 

Caylen Garibay, student reporter  

One change I would recommend would be to make water accessible within the testing environment. Being dehydrated is a common but also commonly overlooked issue in any working environment. Being dehydrated decreases the speed and quality of almost any function in your body and this includes brain activity. If water is provided within the testing environment it would help people stay alert and feel overall better while testing or working. This change is also easy to accomplish as the change is very simple and affordable. 

Saffron Bland, student reporter  

One easy change we could make to help juniors during the upcoming CAASPP is to have them do some quick relaxation exercises before the test. This could be stuff like taking deep breaths or doing a short, guided meditation. It could help them calm down and focus better during the test. This can make the testing atmosphere less stressful, which might help students do better especially if they get nervous before tests, or if they have trouble staying in their seat. This change would hopefully work because it tackles the problem of anxiety during testing, which can mess up how well students do. It shows that the school cares about students and wants to help them deal with any stress they might have. Plus, it's not just for the tests students can use these tactics in their everyday life outside of testing, or future testing. So, by adding these easy techniques, we can further improve the test experience for juniors.