Raising Middle School Reading Test Scores
A Statistical Look at Factors Affecting Eighth Grade Tests
A look at the factors affecting eighth grade reading test scores according to the National Center for Educational Statistics [accessed January 16, 2009], shows some interesting facts. While once again female students typically score better than male students, there is additional information that may help teachers focus their lessons for middle school students.
Factors that Improve Eighth Grade Reading Test Scores
The more education a child's parent has, the better the child preforms on the standardized reading test. This may be a result of greater parental influence on the child's education at home, and a higher standard for educational success. Teachers should encourage parents to continue learning and to expect their students to meet the highest standards.
Other factors that resulted in higher reading test scores include:
- Reading is a favorite activity
- Reading for fun
- The more pages read both in school and for homework
- Writing reports on what is read
- Time spent in class on appreciation and analysis of literature
It is also important to note that the more time spent at this age on reading skills, or the act of reading itself, the lower the test scores. Students are beyond the need to learn phonics or other specific skills on how to read at this age, and need to instead learn to appreciate literature and comprehend what they are reading. Focus on allowing students to find books that interest them, while working to foster a love of reading both in school and at home.
While spending time on the appreciation and analysis of literature and writing reports did show some improvement in test scores, this change was not as clear cut as other factors. This means that although these are good ideas to include in the classroom, they may not have a direct and dramatic influence on the test scores.
Factors that Make No Difference in Reading Test Scores
There are many activities that teachers have students spend their time with, that actually make no difference in the test scores. While these activities do not harm the student's abilities to preform well on a test, they may not be the best to spend time with as they do not cause any improvement. These activities include:
- Projects based on what a student reads
- Making predictions
- Having group discussion on what is read
- Writing journal entries on what is read
Once again, the more days a student is absent, the lower the reading test scores. This emphasizes the importance of getting students to class, and to not waste any class time. Spend as much time as possible promoting reading, whether novels, short stories, essays or magazines. Incorporate many types of literature in the classroom, and find ways to motivate students to read at home.
You may be interested in more information about standardized state testing including more information on raising student test scores.
Learn more ideas for teaching reading.
Tips on Improving Middle School Reading Scores
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