This post is sponsored by Explore Horizons. All opinions are 100% our own.
Standardized tests—let’s talk about ’em. Even before I had kids, I knew standardized tests were a hot-button issue. They’re stressful to students, parents, and teachers alike. If you’re new to the game, here’s a little summary of our current testing situation in Texas: Starting in third grade, public school students take the STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) to see if they are ready for the next grade level based on TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) standards. This is a semi-new incarnation of the test; you may remember the TAKS or the TAAS from years past.
Once your kid hits third grade, you may become a bit obsessed with STAAR preparation.
Reading and math are tested each year, and writing, science, and social studies mix in at different grade levels. Scores are marked either advanced, satisfactory, or unsatisfactory. This will all be a major focus at school this semester.
Now, we know that test-taking is a big deal. Aside from the actual material, test-taking is a skill unto itself. Third graders are about to be thrown into a four-hour test this spring, and it’s going to keep coming…Every.Single.Year. So what can we do about STAAR preparation? We feel better when we know our kids’ needs are being met, so let’s make it happen.
Enter Explore Horizons for STAAR preparation.
Want to know my first thought after researching and talking to Explore Horizons? We should have been so lucky to have this kind of dedicated help when we were growing up! Explore Horizons offers tutoring and enrichment for kids pre-K through eighth grade, with locations all around town. I spoke to Arta, the director of their Frisco center, and she couldn’t have been kinder or more helpful. I want to share some of what we discussed because I know a lot of you are thinking about STAAR preparation and wondering what you can do.
Explore Horizons is one of the few centers to completely align their materials to the TEKS curriculum, so you know your child can get help that’s relevant to STAAR preparation. Here are the basics of how Explore Horizons operates:
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Start with a free assessment to determine your child’s learning level and discuss goals.
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Explore Horizons tailors a personalized learning plan specific to your child’s needs, which gets refined as your child learns and grows.
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Drop in two times a week for 75 minutes (1 hour of help, 15 minutes in the Recharge Zone for fun and games). They’re open seven days a week, so the drop-in thing can accommodate your busy schedule!
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Regular sessions have a 6:1 ratio of kids to teacher. This mimics classroom learning, but in a way that enables extra help and attention.
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Parent meetings occur every 6-8 weeks to track progress.
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In February and March, kids have the option of STAAR preparation workshops. Workshop topics include math, reading, writing, and Intro to Test-Taking (bubbling in, stress relief, time limits, etc.). And there are three different dates to choose from per topic!
That’s just the basics. They also do open homework sessions, one-on-one tutoring opportunities, handwriting workshops, and more.
Arta made me feel so good about how they build our kids up and put them on a path to success. Let’s say your child has taken the STAAR before and didn’t score well. It’s ok; Explore Horizons will have a plan. First, they address and work on any skills that need improvement. They’ll also work on confidence before diving into STAAR-specific support using previous tests and more. The Explore Horizons team is great about praise, encouragement, and motivation with rewards and daily challenges. It’s not torture! It’s comfortable, low-anxiety, and effective. And Explore Horizons believes access to help should be affordable. Their mission is to create fearless learners, and their entire program is based on reaching that goal.
I’m already anticipating so many things about my kids’ educational journeys. I wonder if they’ll need help engaging and thriving. Or if they’ll sign up for an honors class, only to realize, “Uh-oh, need a little help here.” School is such a HUGE part of our children’s lives. Explore Horizons is something we know is good and we know can help. I love when there’s a clear and actionable way to address an issue or to be proactive!
If STAAR preparation or testing has you stressed, or if you are looking for educational enrichment in general, definitely consider calling or contacting your closest Explore Horizons. You’ll instantly be put at ease once you talk to them.
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