Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Go Back                 Case Posted on March 11, 2015 6:58 pm Add to Favorites Jennifer Dowdy Reps: 101 Benchmarks In my school, we have to give benchmarks every 4.5 weeks. We are expected to show student growth with our data from these tests, however, these tests are not allowed be counted as grades. Students know this, and many do not try at all on these tests, which results in no growth. We have brought this issue up with administration, but have no definite answer for how we can motivate students to try their best on these tests. We've tried talking to students about their scores and any growth they have made, and some students do care, but most do not. So, we still have many students who will bubble answers and turn in their test in five minutes. Any suggestions for motivating students to try their best on a test that won't affect their grade?                 Submit a Possible Solution Please read response(s) below (if any) before posting your solution.                 Solution 1 Posted March 11, 2015 7:08 pm RuReja Reps: 104 You could offer to replace their lowest grade with their benchmark grade. This would give validation to the test for some students. Votes: +4 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 2 Posted March 13, 2015 1:22 am dyTuDu Reps: 103 One suggestion could be to allow student input on what they would like to receive for their best effort on the benchmark. For example, students might want technology time, extra recess, lunch outside, etc. Knowing what motivates them to do their best would probably be a great place to start. Votes: +3 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution unuhaj Reps: 102 I agree giving students the option to say what they would like would motivate them.   Posted on: March 13, 2015 11:52 am Add a Comment                 Solution 3 Posted October 12, 2016 5:04 pm jaDehy Reps: 200 One possible solution would be to use the test scores as attendance/participation grades. If they score an 80% or higher on the tests, then they get a 100% for participation that day. Votes: +1 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 4 Posted March 11, 2015 7:50 pm SyRaNy Reps: 103 Our school keeps a clipboard of student behavior/work ethic and at the end of each benchmark we host a grade level kickball game. If the students have a certain number of tallies then they do not get to participate. This really worked for us last year in preparation for the CRCT! Maybe it will work for you too! Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 5 Posted March 12, 2015 12:23 am MateJa Reps: 100 I am not sure if these tests are involved in making high-stakes decisions, such as retention. If so, the test scores should have the same level of motivation as grades. I would imagine that this data would be used in conjunction with grades to make determinations about student placement. I recently had a student take a benchmark math test and not work out any problems. This student had the "opportunity" to work out the problems during free time. If I had to guess, this student will work out the problems on the next test. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution QeRary Reps: 101 I motivate my students by giving the students that meet a homework pass and students that exceed a pass and a treat. It sounds like bribery but it works. I also make student break down their questions by circling verb and underlining nouns. This slows them down.   Posted on: March 13, 2015 5:30 pm Add a Comment                 Solution 6 Posted October 18, 2015 1:14 am vaWety Reps: 82 At the school I use to teach at, they created incentives for students to do well on the benchmark. For example, there was a math wheel. If a student scored an 80 or higher on the math benchmark, they were allowed to spin the wheel. Each section of the wheel had a different prize for students to win. This really motivated students to do their best. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 7 Posted October 6, 2020 11:14 pm medega Reps: 202 One thing we did to help motivate the students, was sat down with them individual and went over the expectations of the test. We then had them write their own goals for the test which helped build accountability for each student. It seemed to work, the students then made their own competition to beat their goals each time and we did set a tiered reward system for the students with meaningful rewards to help motivate them. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Submit a Possible Solution Please read response(s) below (if any) before posting your solution.