9 Year Old Son Struggles with Benchmark Testing

the difficulty he is having may be related to the importance that is placed (by others) on performance on these exams rather than on regular tests etc. Perhaps his teacher or you can find a way to defuse the stress with which he enters these tests by trying to teach him stress-management techniques; the ability to search within himself for the answers that he finds easily in a regular test are there, but it seems that it is possible that stress is interfering with his ability to think clearly.

your very description of his personality is the reason "why" he can't achieve on the benchmark testings. Has he ever been tested for ADD?

The only reason I am saying this is because my younger son is exactly the same way. We chose to not medicate...& have learned to live with grades all across the spectrum. He is happy, he loves school......& at 15 is very involved in all types of activities. Sometimes he's on the Honor Roll, sometimes not. & I truly believe what carries him is that all of his teachers enjoy him....& work with him. :)

Yeah for the first time at my daughter's IEP I saw what is on those benchmark tests. I am very smart and well educated, I would put a bullet in my head if I had to take them. :(

I know this doesn't help but I have learned a lot about the school system this year and it is scary. I want to hug the teachers that still want to teach and punch the ones that just smile and say well I only teach what the government requires.

*steps down off soapbox*

I agree with Sue, you could not design a test to torture kids with ADHD any better if you tried. I actually think that was my comment to the educators in the room, that test hurts my ADD. :p

Release any & all pressure.
Tell him to do his best.
Give him a good breakfast & 3 sharpened pencils on the mornings of the test.

Seriously, let this go. He's 9. He'll pass. He's obviously a bright kid.
Different kids learn in different ways and kids test differently.

I would check if there are any practice tests available for those tests. It may make it easier for him if he is familiar with the format of the tests and has done some for practice.

Try to make it a non issue for him. Let him know it's 'just a test'. You and I know it's more than that, but take the pressure off of him. He'll do just fine.

Like Jim said, let him know that "It's just a test."

Then explain that the purpose of the test is to show his teacher what he knows so they can help the class learn. All he has to do is do his best and share what he knows by answering the questions. If he doesn't know an answer, that's okay. That's how he tells the teachers what they need to work on.

Hi. I know you said he sees a tutor once a week, but there is a site called readingeggs.com that has a great program to help with reading. They have programs for children up to 13 w/ the higher ages having test taking skills etc incorporated into them; that w/ the tutor may be just what he needs. It's not a free site but is reasonably priced. A lot of ppl do poorly on test not due to intelligence, but nervousness, help him develop strategies for taking the tests. His teacher may be able to help with that. Even though it is an important test stress that doing his best is all that he has to do. Some ppl stress perfection, even teachers, and kids just panic. Now, does he do better w/ more time? Some kids just need unlimited time and they do fine. It's actually, sadly, considered a learning disability in a lot of states and colleges, the good thing is that if it's determined that's what he needs they have to give him that extra time. It is not a disability! I just want to make that clear, I am not saying that there is anything wrong with your son, I just want to point out options. You said he does ok to well on test and well on homework, why is that? Look into that. It may be cause the homework does not mean pressure to him or again because he has a lot of time to complete it. Do you help him with it a lot? if so try backing off with some of the help and see how he handles it. If it becomes too stressful use that time to help him develop tools to get through it. It's a non stress assignment but those tools will transfer over to tests. Some teachers don't allow students to take the time to figure things out for themselves, it always who can get the answer first and the quickest. The down side to that is that it teaches them to give up too quick or doubt themselves. That may be his issue. Another mom mentioned looking for practice test and that is a very good idea. Good Luck!