Every spring, Whitefield Academy administers the Comprehensive Testing Program, 4th Edition (CTP 4) to our 6th, 7th and 8th graders over a four day period. In addition, 6th graders
take a practice test the Friday prior. (This is a shortened version of the actual test and will give these students the opportunity to become familiar with the testing format.)
Although most students have participated in our achievement testing program, here are some answers to frequently asked questions.
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Q: I’ve heard Whitefield’s achievement testing program called the "ERB." What is the difference between the ERB and the CTP 4?
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A: Although we often refer to this test as the ERB, this actually stands for the company that produces the test – the Educational Records Bureau. The ERB distributes four
different testing programs. At Whitefield, we have used and will again use the CTP 4. The ERB website (www.erbtest.org) provides
a more detailed description:
The CTP 4 is not a single test, but a battery of assessments designed to provide instructionally useful information about student performance in key areas of school achievement,
e.g., reading, vocabulary, writing and mathematics. In addition, the CTP 4 includes two tests to measure verbal and quantitative reasoning. The results of these measures can be
used to compare more content specific, curriculum based measures of performance (scores on the achievement tests) to the more conceptual knowledge base that helps to gauge potential
and support school achievement (scores on the reasoning tests).
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Q: What can I do to help my child prepare?
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A: Encouraging your child to approach the tests in a relaxed and confident manner is the best preparation. The CTP 4 tests a wide variety of skills, so “studying” for the
test is not useful. There are be no unit tests or major projects due during this testing week to help make the week less stressful. Here are some helpful strategies for test readiness:
- Help your child come to school rested by encouraging a regular bedtime hour.
- Ensure that your child has a good breakfast. Research consistently points to the positive impact of a nutritious breakfast!
- Limit/avoid TV, computer, and video game use during testing week. It would be much more productive to get outside for exercise and play!
- Maintain as normal a schedule as possible.
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Q: What does the test schedule look like?
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A: With eight subtests, we will typically test Monday through Thursday morning. The subtests run from 20 to 45 minutes in length. Testing begins promptly at the first bell.
When the test is complete for the day, we resume our regular class schedule.
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Q: How does Whitefield share test results?
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A: Parents receive a detailed report of their child’s performance on each subtest. We send an ERB test report called the “Individual Student Report - Narrative (INR).”
The INR provides individual test scores, percentile ranks compared to several different testing groups, and a “user friendly” description of these and other scoring criteria.
The ERB estimates the turnaround time to be about four weeks, and we get the scores in the mail as soon as they arrive.
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Q: What does Whitefield do with the test results?
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A: Whitefield administration and faculty receive score results that enable us to evaluate overall class and school performance. These results allow us to determine both
the mastery and non-mastery skills of Whitefield as a whole. Our Division Principals use these results as a “reality check” of the curriculum to make sure that it is working.
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Q: What about special testing accommodations?
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A: We want to allow each child the optimal testing environment for his/her success. We make arrangements for students who qualify for extended time on tests.
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