Incentives for increased test scores...

Joanne Jacobs cites an article by Patti Hartigan that shows a song written for kindergarten students to make sure they learn the rules of test taking. It's sung to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat."

From an article on SignOnSanDiego.com:

While academic preparation is the key to test performance, some educators say a
little incentive can yield results.

Students meeting test goals at Gompers Secondary School in southeastern San Diego will be rewarded when Principal Don Mitchell spends the night on the school's roof wearing a skirt.

"Although, to be politically correct, I may wear a kilt," he said.

On at least 110 out of 180 school days, some students are taking tests required by the district, state or federal government, Mitchell said.

Schools must administer the standardized tests – the CAT-6, the ACT, the new SAT, Advanced Placement and high school exit exams – that are in addition to the multitude of classroom calculus quizzes and economics assessments.

South Woods Elementary School in Florida has their own song for taking these tests.

YouTube has videos on how to test well - in fact, here's a link to the first in a series of twelve!

Photo Credit: The above image is by Cheryl Piperberg, and is available at Art.com.

(I still can't get over the testing 110 out of 180 days.)