ELLSWORTH For years, pupils prepare for tests

One teacher said we seem to forget that fourth-graders taking the state proficiency tests are only 10 years old.
By RON COLE
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
ELLSWORTH -- Eleven fourth-graders sit in an oval at the front of Dawn Rispinto's classroom in Ellsworth Elementary School.
Rispinto, a third-year teacher, flips through a practice version of the state fourth-grade proficiency test on citizenship, firing questions at the subdued bunch of 10-year-olds.
Next door, teacher Pam Moreschi reviews a worksheet for the math portion of the test with another set of fourth-graders.
"There will be a lot of geometry questions on the test," she says during a lesson describing the differences between congruent and similar shapes.
Down the hallway, teacher Nancy Harris uses a workbook designed to give fourth-graders tips on identifying key words and hidden meanings in questions on the reading proficiency test.
"If you read all around it, you probably can figure out what the word means," says Harris, a 31-year veteran teacher. "The clues are there."
What's happening: Last week, the 45 fourth-graders in this rural Mahoning County school district and nearly 130,000 others at elementary schools across Ohio reviewed sample tests, worksheets and other test-taking aids in a final cram session for what will be the first big academic test of their young lives.
This week, Ohio fourth-graders take state proficiency tests in reading, writing, math, citizenship and science. The tests have been in place since 1994.
The results go on each district's report card, which determines a system's academic standing in the state.
What's tougher: The stakes get even higher next year when fourth-graders not passing the reading part of the test are subject to a new state law that could prevent them from being promoted to the fifth grade.
The requirement, known as the Fourth Grade Guarantee, could be repealed by lawmakers this year. But if it remains, school officials say it will make an already stress-filled week even worse.
"I just sit here and feel for these kids," Rispinto says during a break in her class.
"By the third or fourth day of taking these tests, the kids are just dragging in here. By the fifth day, they just want to get it over with, and so do I."
While debate rages about the effectiveness and fairness of the state's proficiency tests, one thing seems certain: Passing the tests is the driving force in schools in the state.
And that drive has forever changed the culture of the elementary school.
"The focus clearly is on the tests," said Alex Geordan, principal of Laird Elementary School in Warren. "From the day a child comes to school, in the first grade, we're working toward that fourth-grade test."
Children at many school districts take "off-year" proficiency tests in first, second and third grades to expose them to the exams early on.
"A lot of the youngsters up to this point don't realize how to take a test of that magnitude," Geordan said.
Effect on curriculum: At Ellsworth Elementary, which is part of the Western Reserve schools, the tests were the reason Principal Vic Ugran revamped the school's curriculum.
Now, third- and fourth-graders have the same math, reading, science and social studies teachers for two years.
"A teacher who has a child two years in a row has a pretty good idea of what that child's strengths and weaknesses are," Ugran said. "It has worked well."
Ellsworth fourth-grade teachers say they start the first day of school covering items that will be on the test.
In Rispinto's class, pupils take a practice proficiency test in early February. During parent-teacher conferences in mid-February, Rispinto reviews the practice exam and talks to parents about the upcoming tests.
In the week before the exam, test materials and test-taking tips are reviewed again.
"We spend most of that last week motivating the kids," Rispinto said.
Third-graders write letters of support and hang a large "Good Luck 4th Grade" banner in the hallway.
"We should be ready for it," fourth-grader Joey Procick proclaims. "We've gone over a lot of questions."
Here's the plan: Kailyn Mowery, a tiny 10-year-old whose blond hair is held up in two black bows, says she's been thinking about the tests since the third grade.
"I think everybody will do OK and pass," she said. "But everybody's nervous."
Students take one test a day, Monday through Friday, and are given 21/2 hours for each exam. The math, citizenship and science tests have 40 questions each. The reading exam has 38 questions, and the writing test has two assignments.
On test days, Ellsworth pupils wear special badges and are allowed to wear hats -- i.e. "thinking caps" -- in the school.
"It's a lot of pressure," Moreschi said
"They're only 10 years old, and sometimes I think we forget that," Rispinto said.
At Laird Elementary in Warren, the school promises a field trip to a minor league baseball game in Akron to every child who shows up for the test and does his or her best.
"I tell the kids that every day is a practice, and that test day is your game day," said Geordan, Laird principal.
"When you go into a game situation, your preparation is very important. You can't really do too much else on that test day. So, don't get yourself anxious. Don't get yourself overly concerned about things you can't control."
Back at Ellsworth, Rispinto finishes reviewing the practice test and asks the pupils if they have any questions.
"You guys are ready," she tells them. "You're going to do great. I just know it."