Do teachers have to give notification for tests?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I remember someone saying kids are supposed to get 3-4 days notice for a test in high school or at least a weekend.

My son had four tests one day and two tests the next day. He wasn’t given much time to prepare for these exams and I’m wondering if he can speak to teachers about giving more notice. Having a weekend really helps him since he just takes longer to read, take notes and study.

He has severe ADHD, vision issues and processing issues (yes he has a 504) so this is very stressful when tests with lots of content are sprung on him with 1-2 days notice.

Anyone ever address this issue?
The teacher who really piled it on said my son needed to justify why he couldn’t prepare in two days. Honestly, it was a lot. I’d struggle to master that even if it’s the only work I had.

We are 9 days into the school year. No one is giving "tests" (summative assessments for an entire unit that can't be retaken) at this point, much less 6 different teachers. They certainly aren't giving "exams" which cover multiple units of material for an entire course. It sounds more like your DS had quizzes, which would cover 1-2 weeks of material. No, teachers don't need to give more than a day or two advanced warning (and there can be no warning - "pop quiz", but best practice would be that it is retakable). Quizzes are supposed to be a check point so both the student and the teacher know where they stand on content so far. Often quizzes are retakable (depends on the course, teacher, and timing in the quarter) and this should be made clear at the time of the quiz. Actual tests are definitely given more than a day or two notice. They typically come with a review day. If your son is not sure about when his teachers are aiming for the first test, he should ask when they will be and if he can get a review guide or summary of what to study several days in advance.

You should have a conversation with your DS about staying on top of daily assignments and studying a little every night so that he doesn't need an entire weekend to catch up in preparation for a quiz. If he is in multiple AP classes and cannot keep up with the pace of the work, then he should consider dropping back to Honors in some classes with a high reading load. If he already feels behind after 2 weeks of school, it's just going to get worse.

-HS teacher

You sound awful. Do you think I'm lying about him having 6 tests? How would that help me get advice if I'm not telling the truth. He's up until 1am studying and completing homework. Please stop being so nasty that he's blowing off his work. He's not.
I could restate the issue but you don't seem like you want to be helpful. No they were not pop quizzes and not all retakable. I can assure you that most people would struggle to absorb that much material over 1-2 days for this one class. He's managing fine in all classes except this one where she just dumped way too much on them last minute. My son wasn't the only one complaining and I think she was unfair to all students - not just my son. I take issue with her asking him to justify his 504 though. Some teachers can't or won't help with 504 plans and she might be one of them.

I appreciate the other responses. We clearly need to update his 504. He has only asked for an extension on a test once before in an AP class that had a heavy workload. Typically his teachers understand and we don't like to ask for extra time because he will just be putting off the inevitable.

NP. I thought that PP teacher was reasonable and quite helpful.

I’m sorry your child is having a tough time. I think it probably makes sense to schedule time to talk to the teacher to understand what is going on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, they are not required to give any notice. If your son is struggling with this due to his adhd then you need to call a 504 meeting to see if you can get advance notice for test put in.

So kids can walk into class tomorrow and the teacher can spring a test on them?

Yeah, absolutely. Pop quizzes are still a thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I remember someone saying kids are supposed to get 3-4 days notice for a test in high school or at least a weekend.

My son had four tests one day and two tests the next day. He wasn’t given much time to prepare for these exams and I’m wondering if he can speak to teachers about giving more notice. Having a weekend really helps him since he just takes longer to read, take notes and study.

He has severe ADHD, vision issues and processing issues (yes he has a 504) so this is very stressful when tests with lots of content are sprung on him with 1-2 days notice.

Anyone ever address this issue?
The teacher who really piled it on said my son needed to justify why he couldn’t prepare in two days. Honestly, it was a lot. I’d struggle to master that even if it’s the only work I had.

We are 9 days into the school year. No one is giving "tests" (summative assessments for an entire unit that can't be retaken) at this point, much less 6 different teachers. They certainly aren't giving "exams" which cover multiple units of material for an entire course. It sounds more like your DS had quizzes, which would cover 1-2 weeks of material. No, teachers don't need to give more than a day or two advanced warning (and there can be no warning - "pop quiz", but best practice would be that it is retakable). Quizzes are supposed to be a check point so both the student and the teacher know where they stand on content so far. Often quizzes are retakable (depends on the course, teacher, and timing in the quarter) and this should be made clear at the time of the quiz. Actual tests are definitely given more than a day or two notice. They typically come with a review day. If your son is not sure about when his teachers are aiming for the first test, he should ask when they will be and if he can get a review guide or summary of what to study several days in advance.

You should have a conversation with your DS about staying on top of daily assignments and studying a little every night so that he doesn't need an entire weekend to catch up in preparation for a quiz. If he is in multiple AP classes and cannot keep up with the pace of the work, then he should consider dropping back to Honors in some classes with a high reading load. If he already feels behind after 2 weeks of school, it's just going to get worse.

-HS teacher

You sound awful. Do you think I'm lying about him having 6 tests? How would that help me get advice if I'm not telling the truth. He's up until 1am studying and completing homework. Please stop being so nasty that he's blowing off his work. He's not.
I could restate the issue but you don't seem like you want to be helpful. No they were not pop quizzes and not all retakable. I can assure you that most people would struggle to absorb that much material over 1-2 days for this one class. He's managing fine in all classes except this one where she just dumped way too much on them last minute. My son wasn't the only one complaining and I think she was unfair to all students - not just my son. I take issue with her asking him to justify his 504 though. Some teachers can't or won't help with 504 plans and she might be one of them.

I appreciate the other responses. We clearly need to update his 504. He has only asked for an extension on a test once before in an AP class that had a heavy workload. Typically his teachers understand and we don't like to ask for extra time because he will just be putting off the inevitable.

Take a deep breath. You’re clearly anxious about this, and wanting to support your kid. There’s some good knowledge being shared in that post if you’re willing to listen to it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1-2 day’s notice is enough. Most students know when it is coming since they are wrapping up a unit or book.

Yes, for neurotypical kids you are correct. OP’s kid is not neurotypical.

But these days that's pretty much every kid who's parents could afford a diagnosis.

The idea you are perpetuating - that students with disabilities are not really disabled but rather just purchasing a diagnosis to get an unfair edge - is ignorant and discriminatory.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I remember someone saying kids are supposed to get 3-4 days notice for a test in high school or at least a weekend.

My son had four tests one day and two tests the next day. He wasn’t given much time to prepare for these exams and I’m wondering if he can speak to teachers about giving more notice. Having a weekend really helps him since he just takes longer to read, take notes and study.

He has severe ADHD, vision issues and processing issues (yes he has a 504) so this is very stressful when tests with lots of content are sprung on him with 1-2 days notice.

Anyone ever address this issue?
The teacher who really piled it on said my son needed to justify why he couldn’t prepare in two days. Honestly, it was a lot. I’d struggle to master that even if it’s the only work I had.

We are 9 days into the school year. No one is giving "tests" (summative assessments for an entire unit that can't be retaken) at this point, much less 6 different teachers. They certainly aren't giving "exams" which cover multiple units of material for an entire course. It sounds more like your DS had quizzes, which would cover 1-2 weeks of material. No, teachers don't need to give more than a day or two advanced warning (and there can be no warning - "pop quiz", but best practice would be that it is retakable). Quizzes are supposed to be a check point so both the student and the teacher know where they stand on content so far. Often quizzes are retakable (depends on the course, teacher, and timing in the quarter) and this should be made clear at the time of the quiz. Actual tests are definitely given more than a day or two notice. They typically come with a review day. If your son is not sure about when his teachers are aiming for the first test, he should ask when they will be and if he can get a review guide or summary of what to study several days in advance.

You should have a conversation with your DS about staying on top of daily assignments and studying a little every night so that he doesn't need an entire weekend to catch up in preparation for a quiz. If he is in multiple AP classes and cannot keep up with the pace of the work, then he should consider dropping back to Honors in some classes with a high reading load. If he already feels behind after 2 weeks of school, it's just going to get worse.

-HS teacher

You sound awful. Do you think I'm lying about him having 6 tests? How would that help me get advice if I'm not telling the truth. He's up until 1am studying and completing homework. Please stop being so nasty that he's blowing off his work. He's not.
I could restate the issue but you don't seem like you want to be helpful. No they were not pop quizzes and not all retakable. I can assure you that most people would struggle to absorb that much material over 1-2 days for this one class. He's managing fine in all classes except this one where she just dumped way too much on them last minute. My son wasn't the only one complaining and I think she was unfair to all students - not just my son. I take issue with her asking him to justify his 504 though. Some teachers can't or won't help with 504 plans and she might be one of them.

I appreciate the other responses. We clearly need to update his 504. He has only asked for an extension on a test once before in an AP class that had a heavy workload. Typically his teachers understand and we don't like to ask for extra time because he will just be putting off the inevitable.

Take a deep breath. You’re clearly anxious about this, and wanting to support your kid. There’s some good knowledge being shared in that post if you’re willing to listen to it.

Please post your question on the special needs board. You will find more knowledgeable and supportive parents there.

FWIW, I have a kid with ADHD, and he has an accommodation in his 504 for no more than 2 tests a day no more than 2 hours total in one stretch. He also has multi-day testing on the ACT. Some kids are slow processors or have weak memory and need this accommodation to be able to demonstrate their acquired knowledge otherwise the assessment of acquired knowledge is confounded by the neurodivergence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I remember someone saying kids are supposed to get 3-4 days notice for a test in high school or at least a weekend.

My son had four tests one day and two tests the next day. He wasn’t given much time to prepare for these exams and I’m wondering if he can speak to teachers about giving more notice. Having a weekend really helps him since he just takes longer to read, take notes and study.

He has severe ADHD, vision issues and processing issues (yes he has a 504) so this is very stressful when tests with lots of content are sprung on him with 1-2 days notice.

Anyone ever address this issue?
The teacher who really piled it on said my son needed to justify why he couldn’t prepare in two days. Honestly, it was a lot. I’d struggle to master that even if it’s the only work I had.

We are 9 days into the school year. No one is giving "tests" (summative assessments for an entire unit that can't be retaken) at this point, much less 6 different teachers. They certainly aren't giving "exams" which cover multiple units of material for an entire course. It sounds more like your DS had quizzes, which would cover 1-2 weeks of material. No, teachers don't need to give more than a day or two advanced warning (and there can be no warning - "pop quiz", but best practice would be that it is retakable). Quizzes are supposed to be a check point so both the student and the teacher know where they stand on content so far. Often quizzes are retakable (depends on the course, teacher, and timing in the quarter) and this should be made clear at the time of the quiz. Actual tests are definitely given more than a day or two notice. They typically come with a review day. If your son is not sure about when his teachers are aiming for the first test, he should ask when they will be and if he can get a review guide or summary of what to study several days in advance.

You should have a conversation with your DS about staying on top of daily assignments and studying a little every night so that he doesn't need an entire weekend to catch up in preparation for a quiz. If he is in multiple AP classes and cannot keep up with the pace of the work, then he should consider dropping back to Honors in some classes with a high reading load. If he already feels behind after 2 weeks of school, it's just going to get worse.

-HS teacher

You sound awful. Do you think I'm lying about him having 6 tests? How would that help me get advice if I'm not telling the truth. He's up until 1am studying and completing homework. Please stop being so nasty that he's blowing off his work. He's not.
I could restate the issue but you don't seem like you want to be helpful. No they were not pop quizzes and not all retakable. I can assure you that most people would struggle to absorb that much material over 1-2 days for this one class. He's managing fine in all classes except this one where she just dumped way too much on them last minute. My son wasn't the only one complaining and I think she was unfair to all students - not just my son. I take issue with her asking him to justify his 504 though. Some teachers can't or won't help with 504 plans and she might be one of them.

I appreciate the other responses. We clearly need to update his 504. He has only asked for an extension on a test once before in an AP class that had a heavy workload. Typically his teachers understand and we don't like to ask for extra time because he will just be putting off the inevitable.

Take a deep breath. You’re clearly anxious about this, and wanting to support your kid. There’s some good knowledge being shared in that post if you’re willing to listen to it.

Please post your question on the special needs board. You will find more knowledgeable and supportive parents there.

FWIW, I have a kid with ADHD, and he has an accommodation in his 504 for no more than 2 tests a day no more than 2 hours total in one stretch. He also has multi-day testing on the ACT. Some kids are slow processors or have weak memory and need this accommodation to be able to demonstrate their acquired knowledge otherwise the assessment of acquired knowledge is confounded by the neurodivergence.

Also, I should add that a kid with time and a half on tests should also have time and a half for assignments, which also generally goes along with extended deadlines and sometimes reduced work.(Like only has to do 2/3 of # of math problems.) This is because the general principle in teaching is that assessment should be done in the same conditions as teaching.

My ADHD kid has all these accommodations except for reduced work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, they are not required to give any notice. If your son is struggling with this due to his adhd then you need to call a 504 meeting to see if you can get advance notice for test put in.

So kids can walk into class tomorrow and the teacher can spring a test on them?

In MCPS, teachers are expected to give at least one day’s advance notice for a test, but we end up arguing with that one parent that their child somehow didn’t know. Solution: in my department, we never call anything a test. We just have assessments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1-2 day’s notice is enough. Most students know when it is coming since they are wrapping up a unit or book.

Yes, for neurotypical kids you are correct. OP’s kid is not neurotypical.

But these days that's pretty much every kid who's parents could afford a diagnosis.

I would love to know what percentage of kids have an IEP/504 in, let’s say, Whitman vs Wheaton HS. Or even Blair.

The average ADHD in USA is 11.5 percent, so plus and minus I am guessing 10%-15% for both IEP and 504 plan?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I remember someone saying kids are supposed to get 3-4 days notice for a test in high school or at least a weekend.

My son had four tests one day and two tests the next day. He wasn’t given much time to prepare for these exams and I’m wondering if he can speak to teachers about giving more notice. Having a weekend really helps him since he just takes longer to read, take notes and study.

He has severe ADHD, vision issues and processing issues (yes he has a 504) so this is very stressful when tests with lots of content are sprung on him with 1-2 days notice.

Anyone ever address this issue?
The teacher who really piled it on said my son needed to justify why he couldn’t prepare in two days. Honestly, it was a lot. I’d struggle to master that even if it’s the only work I had.

The teacher was not nasty.
The teacher was polite and offered a lot of helpful information.
Sorry your child is so stressed out but the teacher did not deserve your anger.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1-2 day’s notice is enough. Most students know when it is coming since they are wrapping up a unit or book.

Yes, for neurotypical kids you are correct. OP’s kid is not neurotypical.

But these days that's pretty much every kid who's parents could afford a diagnosis.

I would love to know what percentage of kids have an IEP/504 in, let’s say, Whitman vs Wheaton HS. Or even Blair.

The average ADHD in USA is 11.5 percent, so plus and minus I am guessing 10%-15% for both IEP and 504 plan?

Damascus 16.1
Churchill 11.2
WJ 11.1
Whitman 10.9
Wheaton 10.4
Blair 7.8
Springbrook 6.3

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1-2 day’s notice is enough. Most students know when it is coming since they are wrapping up a unit or book.

Yes, for neurotypical kids you are correct. OP’s kid is not neurotypical.

But these days that's pretty much every kid who's parents could afford a diagnosis.

I would love to know what percentage of kids have an IEP/504 in, let’s say, Whitman vs Wheaton HS. Or even Blair.

The average ADHD in USA is 11.5 percent, so plus and minus I am guessing 10%-15% for both IEP and 504 plan?

Damascus 16.1
Churchill 11.2
WJ 11.1
Whitman 10.9
Wheaton 10.4
Blair 7.8
Springbrook 6.3

I’m not sure how meaningful these numbers are. This post is focused on students with disabilities who spend 100% of the day in the general education setting. Keep in mind some schools have contained or partially contained special education programs that pull kids out of their neighborhood schools (think magnet but for disability. For example, there might be an autism program or SES program at a HS that would increase numbers in that school while decreasing numbers in other schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1-2 day’s notice is enough. Most students know when it is coming since they are wrapping up a unit or book.

Yes, for neurotypical kids you are correct. OP’s kid is not neurotypical.

Normal. Stop using weird clinical language and talk normally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1-2 day’s notice is enough. Most students know when it is coming since they are wrapping up a unit or book.

Yes, for neurotypical kids you are correct. OP’s kid is not neurotypical.

But these days that's pretty much every kid who's parents could afford a diagnosis.

The idea you are perpetuating - that students with disabilities are not really disabled but rather just purchasing a diagnosis to get an unfair edge - is ignorant and discriminatory.

+1

Do some people game the system? Sure. But the majority do not. My kids don’t have accommodations because they have real disabilities. Their accomodations attempt to level the playing field. Do you or your children wear glasses or contacts? Same thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1-2 day’s notice is enough. Most students know when it is coming since they are wrapping up a unit or book.

Yes, for neurotypical kids you are correct. OP’s kid is not neurotypical.

But these days that's pretty much every kid who's parents could afford a diagnosis.

The idea you are perpetuating - that students with disabilities are not really disabled but rather just purchasing a diagnosis to get an unfair edge - is ignorant and discriminatory.

+1

Do some people game the system? Sure. But the majority do not. My kids don’t have accommodations because they have real disabilities. Their accomodations attempt to level the playing field. Do you or your children wear glasses or contacts? Same thing.

PP back. That is a typo. The word don’t shouldn’t be there. My kids have accommodations because they have real disabilities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I remember someone saying kids are supposed to get 3-4 days notice for a test in high school or at least a weekend.

My son had four tests one day and two tests the next day. He wasn’t given much time to prepare for these exams and I’m wondering if he can speak to teachers about giving more notice. Having a weekend really helps him since he just takes longer to read, take notes and study.

He has severe ADHD, vision issues and processing issues (yes he has a 504) so this is very stressful when tests with lots of content are sprung on him with 1-2 days notice.

Anyone ever address this issue?
The teacher who really piled it on said my son needed to justify why he couldn’t prepare in two days. Honestly, it was a lot. I’d struggle to master that even if it’s the only work I had.

We are 9 days into the school year. No one is giving "tests" (summative assessments for an entire unit that can't be retaken) at this point, much less 6 different teachers. They certainly aren't giving "exams" which cover multiple units of material for an entire course. It sounds more like your DS had quizzes, which would cover 1-2 weeks of material. No, teachers don't need to give more than a day or two advanced warning (and there can be no warning - "pop quiz", but best practice would be that it is retakable). Quizzes are supposed to be a check point so both the student and the teacher know where they stand on content so far. Often quizzes are retakable (depends on the course, teacher, and timing in the quarter) and this should be made clear at the time of the quiz. Actual tests are definitely given more than a day or two notice. They typically come with a review day. If your son is not sure about when his teachers are aiming for the first test, he should ask when they will be and if he can get a review guide or summary of what to study several days in advance.

You should have a conversation with your DS about staying on top of daily assignments and studying a little every night so that he doesn't need an entire weekend to catch up in preparation for a quiz. If he is in multiple AP classes and cannot keep up with the pace of the work, then he should consider dropping back to Honors in some classes with a high reading load. If he already feels behind after 2 weeks of school, it's just going to get worse.

-HS teacher

You sound awful. Do you think I'm lying about him having 6 tests? How would that help me get advice if I'm not telling the truth. He's up until 1am studying and completing homework. Please stop being so nasty that he's blowing off his work. He's not.
I could restate the issue but you don't seem like you want to be helpful. No they were not pop quizzes and not all retakable. I can assure you that most people would struggle to absorb that much material over 1-2 days for this one class. He's managing fine in all classes except this one where she just dumped way too much on them last minute. My son wasn't the only one complaining and I think she was unfair to all students - not just my son. I take issue with her asking him to justify his 504 though. Some teachers can't or won't help with 504 plans and she might be one of them.

I appreciate the other responses. We clearly need to update his 504. He has only asked for an extension on a test once before in an AP class that had a heavy workload. Typically his teachers understand and we don't like to ask for extra time because he will just be putting off the inevitable.

I don't think you are lying. I think your student is misunderstanding/misrepresenting what is actually happening. My students call everything a "test" - exit cards to check for understanding, retakeable quizzes, assignments done in Canvas - all sorts of things that are not tests at all. Instead of being instantly indignant about my reply, which someone else also thought was useful, how about stopping and thinking that maybe there is information you hadn't considered.

Your original post implied that all 6 assessments were unannounced and required a lot of studying, with one teacher being extra difficult. Your reply now seems to imply that it was really only this one teacher that there was a lot of new material in the past couple of days. If that had been clearer in your OP, you would have gotten different advice.

However, assuming you still want some suggestions, why don't you post the courses that your son is taking and which one has the teacher you are concerned about? You will likely be able to get a better sense of what those assessments actually were and what pace to expect from some of those courses.

Teacher, you sound awesome, especially given your evident ability to keep calm and continue to respond helpfully even when a parent is unjustifiably upset with you. Thank you for all you do!


And to the OP, good luck with figuring things out. I hope you're able to use the advice you’re getting here to get a better situation for your kid.