Kaplan and Simon & Schuster Publish Parent's Guide to Virginia SOL for Grade 3

By Cynthia and Drew Johnson

New York, November 15, 2000 – The explosion of standardized tests is quite possibly the single most debated education topic in decades. Virginia schools are already preparing students for the next test administration. Never before has understanding the test¾and doing well on it ¾been more important.
 
To help students and their families get a handle on the Virginia SOL Assessments for Grade 3, Kaplan, Inc., the leader in test preparation, announces the publication of Parent's Guide to the Virginia SOL for Grade 3 (Kaplan, Inc. and Simon & Schuster Publishing; December 2000; $6.95.)
 
The Virginia SOL was first administered in 1998. Of the 90,000 3rd graders tested in 2000, 39% scored below proficient in English, 29% scored below proficient in Math, 35% scored below proficient in History and Social Studies, and 27% score below proficient in Science.
 
Parental involvement has been shown to make a difference in how well students perform in school, and this new guide provides parents with valuable information and tools as their children face these challenging tests. In addition to explaining the basic structure of the tests and the objectives measured, this concise guide offers a range of activities designed to introduce students to basic test-taking techniques and to help them develop the critical skills measured by the tests.
 
Kaplan's Parent 's Guide to the Virginia SOL for Grade 3 shows parents how they can play a valuable role in demystifying the test and help their children approach the exam with confidence. The Guide includes:

A detailed explanation of what the test is and what performance means in your state.
Is performance an issue for your child? When to be relaxed, when to be concerned, and what you can do to help.
Test strategies specifically tailored to the types of questions found on the test.
Word Games and other fun activities to help students master the basic skills measured by the test.
Tips for reducing anxiety.
Parent's Guide to the Virginia SOL for Grade 3 is the latest book by the state test guide book team of Drew and Cynthia Johnson. The authors are state test experts and have written test review titles for 9 other states.
 
About the Authors:

Cynthia Brantley Johnson is the author of several educational books for young people, including Word Smart Junior and Writing Smart Junior, both of which received the prestigious Parents' Choice Gold Award in 1995, and were included in Curriculum Administrator magazine's list of "Top 100" educational products for 1996.
Drew Johnson is the author of Kidding Around Austin!, a travel activity book for children visiting Austin, Texas, and co-author of Kaplan Learning Power, a guide to improving study skills. Drew is currently an education writer and editor, creating workbook, textbook, and Web-based educational materials for students of all ages.
Cynthia and Drew Johnson are AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW to serve as experts on: the Virginia tests; test-taking strategies; and trends in state testing.
 
Kaplan, Inc. (www.kaplan.com) is a premier provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Kaplan, Inc. offers test prep and admissions services (www.kaptest.com); K-12 educational programs for kids and parents through SCORE! Learning, Inc. and www.eSCORE.com; on-site education and professional development at schools and universities; books and software; professional education services; and an extensive array of distance learning programs (www.KaplanCollege.com). Kaplan, Inc. is also a shareholder in BrassRing, Inc. (www.BrassRing.com), the business-to-business recruitment and hiring company that helps employers find and hire the right candidates faster. Kaplan, Inc. is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO).
 

PARENT'S GUIDE TO THE VIRGINIA SOL FOR GRADE 3
ISBN: 0-7432-0493-X; $6.95
Publication date: December 2000
Press Contact: pubrel@kaplan.com, (212) 492-5965