DECATUR -- Bob Tharp, Decatur mayor, paid a visit to Decatur Northside Elementary March 31 to give the first and second grade students a little encouragement as they prepare to take the Iowa Tests April 4.
The Iowa Tests are part of the Arkansas Comprehensive Testing, Assessment and Accountability Program of the Arkansas Department of Education. These tests, which also include the ninth grade, evaluate student performance in English, math, reading and language skills and compare them to students on the same grade levels across the country.
The results of these tests will help school districts across the state, including Decatur, find areas in which they need improvement in order to give their students the best education possible.
Tharp opened his talk by asking what is the most important thing you can do to get ready for this test besides studying.
About half the hands in the room were raised high in the air. Tharp pointed to one of the girls near the front of the assembly.
"Get plenty of sleep," she said
"That's right," Tharp said. "You all need to get at least eight hours every night to make sure your minds are alert and ready for the day ahead."
Tharp picked up a backpack full of different items kids love to eat and drink. These items included a 2.5 pound bag of pure cane sugar, a soda, a bag of cookies, a chocolate bar and a bag of potato chips, all items that contain starch that creates sugar highs.
"I know that these are things you like, but these are things you need to avoid," Tharp said. "If you all eat things that are healthy, you will do better on test day. Good luck!"
The Iowa Test begins for the first and second graders at 8:30 p.m. April 4-7. Parents can best prepare their kids by making sure they get plenty of rest and eat right. For more information, call 479-752-3981.
General News on 04/05/2017