In classrooms across the country, the school day often starts with a comfortable routine, familiar to all students. But at certain points in the year, a shift happens: The desks are cleared, pencils are sharpened, and the room grows quiet. It’s time for standardized testing.
Standardized tests in elementary schools are designed to track student progress and ensure teaching accountability. They offer measurable data that can help inform instruction and guide curriculum choices. For our youngest learners, these tests can feel like a big moment in a very small world.
That’s why understanding the nuances of elementary school testing is so important. These early years are when students are just beginning to build confidence in their abilities, and we don’t want them to be discouraged. The way we approach standardized testing in elementary schools can affect not just test scores, but how children see themselves as learners.
When we focus on growth, curiosity, and support, we give kids what they truly need: a strong foundation and environment that will support them throughout their entire educational journey.
Standardized testing in elementary schools is meant to offer a fair and consistent way to understand how students are learning. These tests are administered and scored in a uniform manner, with every student receiving the same questions, time limits, and rubric. Once graded, the results can influence decisions around curriculum, teaching strategies, and resource allocation.
By evaluating how well students grasp key concepts in different subjects, standardized tests in elementary schools provide a snapshot of each child’s academic abilities at a specific grade level.
Standardized testing in elementary schools is a part of the typical US K-12 education trajectory. Researchers believe that early performance on these tests is predictive of future academic outcomes.
One longitudinal study found a clear and positive association between student performance on standardized tests in 8th grade and postsecondary school success:
Elementary school testing helps identify learning gaps early on, letting educators implement timely interventions and prevent small struggles from becoming long-term challenges. Over time, consistent testing can also track student growth and encourage academic confidence.
Still, it’s important to recognize that standardized testing is an imperfect tool. While it offers benefits, it also brings valid concerns, especially when it comes to young children’s emotional well-being. Here’s a quick look at some of the common concerns related to standardized testing in elementary schools:
That said, standardized tests in elementary schools can be valuable when used with care and in the proper context.
Standardized testing in elementary schools can feel like a high-stakes experience, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right kind of support, these moments can become opportunities for growth, rather than stress.
While it’s natural to turn to worksheets and memorization when preparing for tests, research shows that students learn best when they’re engaged in meaningful, interactive experiences that help them truly understand the material.
In fact, learners retain up to 75% of information when actively participating in a task, compared to only 10% through passive methods like reading or listening to lectures.
Below, we’ll explore practical, student-centered ways to support elementary learners through testing season and beyond.
At Math & Movement, we know that learning is most powerful when it’s active, engaging, and fun. That’s why movement-based learning is at the heart of what we do, and it’s especially valuable when preparing students for standardized testing in elementary schools.
Our products can transform a classroom into an interactive learning environment where key concepts come to life. Rather than relying solely on repetition or memorization, these hands-on tools allow students to physically explore abstract ideas, making lessons stick in a meaningful way.
When students hop, step, or trace their way through math problems, they’re not just studying; they’re building a deeper understanding, collaborating, and thinking flexibly.
By incorporating these strategies into the classroom, educators can support both academic growth and emotional well-being. After all, when learning feels like play, students are more likely to stay engaged, retain information, and approach elementary school testing with confidence.
Want to head deeper into the research and results behind Math & Movement? Explore our Program Data page to see how schools across the US are transforming student achievement with our kinesthetic learning strategies.
As standardized testing dates in elementary schools approach, many students experience a rise in stress and anxiety. To combat this, teachers can learn to promote flow state learning.
A flow state is a mental state where learners are so deeply focused that they don’t feel stressed or distracted.
Movement and kinesthetic learning can be a great asset in encouraging this optimal learning zone:
By incorporating movement into daily routines, teachers can help students shift from anxiety to awareness, creating space for calm and sustained attention. Promoting flow state learning supports academic performance during elementary school testing and fosters a sense of confidence far beyond test day.
If you’re looking for a way to get started with movement-based activities in your school, you can try our 30-Day Movement Challenge. The downloadable guide below includes over 35 ideas for movement breaks that allow students to stretch, stand, and step while practicing math and literacy concepts. The activities range from 5 to 25 minutes in duration, so you can pick ones that work in your schedule.
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Ready to bring movement-based learning to your school? Enter your email to get our activity guide with over 35 educational movement break ideas! Plus, add a little competition between classrooms.
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While supporting your students for testing, be sure to recognize the signs of test anxiety. These might include physical symptoms (like stomachaches, headaches, or generally feeling sick), behavioral changes (children becoming unusually quiet, irritable, or reporting trouble sleeping as test days approach), or academic signs (making simple mistakes or forgetting what they studied).
Fortunately, there are simple strategies that can help students manage anxiety and approach tests with greater calm and confidence. Some of these methods include:
Weaving emotional support into the school day will help students face elementary school testing at their best!
Educators and families should have open and thoughtful communication. Teachers can help guide families’ perspectives on test results, reminding them that test scores are only one measure of academic achievement.
Plus, teachers can encourage families to focus not just on the results but on effort, improvement, and persistence. Praising hard work helps students develop a growth mindset, which supports ongoing learning and resilience.
In addition to conversations about academics, teachers can share practical advice for families on creating supportive routines during testing periods. Simple habits, such as maintaining regular bedtimes and eating healthy breakfasts, help keep children physically ready. Second, encouraging families to balance study time with play and downtime reinforces that learning is a holistic experience.
By collaborating closely with families, teachers create a strong support system that helps children approach standardized tests with a sense of readiness.
Teachers must be mindful of a few common pitfalls that can unintentionally increase stress for young learners during standardized tests for elementary schools.
First, don’t over-emphasize the importance of standardized tests. Placing too much pressure on children can lead to test anxiety and self-doubt. Statements like “This test determines your future” or “You have to get a good score” can actually raise stress levels and hurt performance. Instead, try to keep testing days feeling as normal as possible.
Next, be aware of how we, as adults, talk about testing in front of children. Expressing frustration about testing policies or sharing our own anxieties can send the message that tests are something to fear. Try modeling calm, encouraging language. Simple affirmations, such as “Tests help us see what we’ve learned” or “We’re going to take our time and do our best,” go a long way in promoting a healthy perspective.
Lastly, it’s important to recognize when a student may need more than reassurance. If a child consistently shows signs of anxiety throughout the school year, it may be time to look deeper. These students would likely benefit from further support or different teaching strategies.
Imagine trying to capture a child’s entire learning journey with just a few numbers. It’s like judging a painting by a single brushstroke. Standardized testing for elementary schools is only one way to evaluate a fraction of the whole child.
Elementary school is a time for young learners to discover their unique talents and interests, and great teachers know these qualities matter just as much as scores. Here, students begin asking “why,” exploring different ways to solve problems, sharing ideas with confidence, and learning the power of collaboration.
When standardized testing in elementary school is balanced with rich, hands-on learning, children do more than absorb information – they build curiosity, confidence, and resilience. Classrooms that nurture both academic achievement and whole-child development empower students to thrive as learners, thinkers, creators, and compassionate community members.
To further encourage this kind of learning, explore Math & Movement’s Kits. The tools and movement-based strategies within these kits are designed to reinforce academic skills, reduce test anxiety, and keep students actively engaged.
Let’s reimagine test prep as something joyful and empowering. Discover how movement can help your students thrive – on test day and every day.
The purpose of standardized testing in elementary schools is to provide a fair and consistent way to measure student learning. These tests give educators valuable data about how well students are grasping grade-level concepts. The results can guide curriculum choices, teaching strategies, and resource allocation, helping schools identify both strengths and areas where extra support is needed.
Elementary school testing begins in 3rd grade. However, younger students may take informal assessments or district-level tests before then.
Standardized test scores are calculated using the same questions, rubrics, and time limits for all students, ensuring consistency. Results are often reported in categories such as advanced, proficient, basic, or below basic. These levels help educators and families understand where a student stands academically and where additional support may be needed.
Yes. When used carefully, standardized tests in elementary school can help students succeed by identifying learning gaps early and tracking growth over time. Research shows a strong link between standardized test scores and long-term academic outcomes, making them a useful tool when paired with supportive teaching and whole-child learning approaches.
Teachers can support students by creating a calm, encouraging environment and using interactive, movement-based learning strategies instead of relying only on worksheets or memorization. Incorporating brain breaks, group activities, and positive reinforcement helps reduce stress and keeps students engaged, which can improve performance during elementary school testing.
Parents play an important role in test preparation. Simple habits like maintaining regular bedtimes, providing healthy breakfasts, and balancing study time with play can make a big difference. Encouraging a growth mindset—praising effort and persistence instead of just test scores—helps children approach standardized testing with confidence.
To ease test anxiety, students can practice breathing techniques, positive self-talk, stretching, and simple relaxation routines. Teachers can also set calming classroom rituals, while families can provide reassurance at home. These strategies help children feel more comfortable and prepared, turning standardized tests in elementary school into opportunities for growth rather than stress.
Suzy Koontz, CEO and Founder of Math & Movement, has spent over 25 years helping students achieve academic success. She has created over 200 kinesthetic teaching tools adopted by schools nationwide and has authored over 20 books. As a sought-after national presenter, Suzy shares how movement can transform the way students learn.
Try the 30-Day Movement Challenge
Ready to bring movement-based learning to your school? Enter your email to get our activity guide with over 35 educational movement break ideas! Plus, add a little competition between classrooms.
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