Tests and treats

Can a peppermint drop improve your memory?

Can a healthy breakfast elevate your thinking skills?

Can a "smart" pencil help find a correct answer?

Administrators in local school districts aren't sure, but they're leaving nothing to chance as hundreds of students begin the rigorous Missouri Assessment Program tests today.

On Monday, students at Franklin and Alma Schrader elementary schools in Cape Girardeau gathered for pre-MAP pep rallies designed to motivate them for the coming assessments.

"It's a lengthy test, much longer than you'd normally ask of a 9- or 10-year-old, and we want them to feel like their effort results in something," said Alma Schrader principal Ruth Ann Orr.

Franklin Elementary principal Rhonda Dunham worked the crowd during Monday's MAP test pep rally held in the school's gym.

To do that, most schools use prizes and other incentives.

Franklin Elementary principal Rhonda Dunham unveiled the daily prizes available to her students during the school's pep rally Monday afternoon. For the rally, Franklin's gym was turned into an Academy Awards-inspired stage, complete with a red carpet and video camera made from construction paper. Dunham donned a sequined dress for the occasion and spoke to students about the importance of the MAP tests.

The school will offer its own special award -- the Franklin Effort Award in State Testing, or FEAST -- for the amount of effort students put forth over the next two weeks of testing.

Students who demonstrate they're working hard have their names put in a daily drawing for a compact disc player, I-Zone camera or Wal-Mart gift certificate. The students also will receive recesses and snacks and watch movies.

"You can do this," Dunham told her students during the rally. "I know you can because I know how smart you are. All you have to do is your best. Are you ready for this?"

The response was unanimous among the students.

"YEESSS!!!"

Missouri students in third, fourth, seventh, eighth, 10th and 11th grades take the MAP communication arts, math, science and social studies tests every spring. With the implementation of the federal No Child Left Behind Act in 2001, schools are required to meet certain annual goals for scoring high on each test.

If schools don't meet the annual goals, known as adequate yearly progress, they are subject to penalties such as paying for students to transfer to better-performing schools or providing after-school tutoring services.

But there's nothing specific to hold students accountable for their performance on the test, which makes motivating them that much more important.

Students at North Elementary in Fruitland began their MAP tests two weeks ago, before spring break. They'll spend today, Wednesday and Thursday taking the second part of the assessments.

Principal David Gross said his students receive peppermint drops, which may help recall information, and "smart" pencils before each test.

"If nothing else, it gives them confidence," Gross said. "If we overhype it, some kids might get scared or nervous, so we try to keep it low-key. We certainly want the best effort we can get, but we tell the students that enough during the regular school year."

While elementary students can be plied with treats and free recesses, school officials say it takes a bit more to motivate older test-takers.

Central Junior High School teachers performed a skit for their seventh- and eighth-graders to appeal to their test-taking abilities. The short play stressed testing strategies such as reading questions twice and double-checking answers.

According to principal Lee Gattis, the junior high also will have a daily prize drawing to keep students motivated once testing begins.

"Older students sometimes compare the MAP to college admittance tests, and they just don't see the importance of it," Gattis said. "This is a very intense process. For six days, three or four hours each day, that's all they do."

cclark@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128