22 The Courier SUN • kids & education • december 31, 2015 for breaking news visit www.qns.com ▶ kid▶s & education Sponsored by There’s more in store for you when you have a 5Star Credit Card. Apply today online at mynycb.com or call us at 1-888-550-9888 STATE TESTS ARE STRESSING OUT NEW YORK STUDENTS: REPORT About three-quarters (76 percent) of school psychologists in New York say their students experience greater anxiety over state tests than for local assessments, according to a new research report issued jointly today by the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) and the New York Association of School Psychologists (NYASP). Test anxiety appears to physically affect a minority of students overall. When asked what percentage of students in their caseload exhibited adverse physical symptoms during the most recent state tests, school psychologists most often said that fewer than half experienced adverse physical symptoms. This is consistent with previous research studies, which found that about 25 percent of students experience test anxiety, with a range of 10 to 40 percent of students. One explanation for the increased anxiety is the implementation of exams linked to the state’s new learning standards. Six in 10 school psychologists say the level of anxiety has increased since the state aligned its grades 3-8 assessments with the Common Core Learning Standards. The report found that test anxiety is more common at the elementary levels, and that students displayed “internalized” symptoms of test anxiety – such as excessive worry and withdrawal – about twice as often as “externalized” symptoms, such as heightened levels of irritability, frustration and acting out. The report, entitled “Anxious to Succeed: High Anxiety in New York’s Schools,” is based on a survey of school psychologists conducted in September 2015. A total of 1,672 school psychologists were asked to respond to the survey, and 222 submitted completed responses, for a response rate of 13.2 percent. The report identifies several factors that contribute to test anxiety in students. The greatest factor appears to be the expectations of teachers and parents. Nearly 90 percent of school psychologists believe teachers’ expectations contribute at least somewhat to test anxiety. Eighty-eight percent say that parents’ expectations contribute to student test anxiety. 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Once the verification process is complete, your Free Online Banking & Free Bill Pay account will be activated and ready for you to use. No monthly services charges apply. A separate fee applies for optional services such as Money HQ. Please talk to a branch representative or ask for our fee schedule for more details. © New York Community Bank. Member FDIC Equal Housing Lender Students’ awareness of the so-called “high stakes” nature of the state exams is also a factor. Two-thirds (66 percent) of school psychologists believe that the impact of state test results on teacher/ principal performance reviews and on school ratings cause test-related stress among students. The report recommends that beginning right now, mental health professionals share information on assessments and testing protocols with parents and talk to classroom students about good test-taking strategies, what the tests mean, and how to have a healthy outlook about them, rather than waiting until actual state testing begins in the spring. School boards can also ensure that school psychologists have adequate training in the strategies and skills needed to help students cope with test anxiety. “Tests are a part of the academic experience. This report should make all education stakeholders – from state policymakers to local teachers to parents – aware of the profound impact that they can have, both positive and negative, on student test anxiety,” said NYSSBA Executive Director Timothy G. Kremer. “No student should ever suffer from needless or excessive anxiety. By teaming up with the New York Association of School Psychologists, we can offer practical recommendations that everyone in the school community can implement to reduce test anxiety.” From the New York State School Boards Association (877) 786-6560 • myNYCB.com 1Student Banking is available for personal accounts only and is free of maintenance and activity fees. 2Student Checking Accounts with a Visa® debit card are automatically enrolled in the Even >more Rewards Program. For complete terms and conditions speak with a branch representative. Restrictions apply. Bank is not responsible for typographical errors. ©2015 New York Community Bank- Member FDIC Equal Opportunity Lender
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