Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: 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? Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) 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.