Eric+Kosek

Welcome to Eric Kosek's Wiki page:

__**ADHD and Increasing Test Scores**__

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder interrupts school and the educational process for over two million students. Fortunately, there are some very effective and innovative techniques on teaching the ADHD child. Without appropriate behaviors, learning can be extremely difficult. With today's high stakes testing, focus, attention and motivation are paramount. But what if a student in your class can't focus? What if it says in their Individual Education Plan (IEP), that they have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder? It is your job to not only educate this child but improve their standardized test scores. What do you do?

The first thing we have to do is examine what is required from the state for New Jersey High School students. The New Jersey Department of Education's website has a Language Arts Literacy Assessment Tutorial [] that is very useful and easy to navigate. There both teacher and student can find both types of reading and writing example that will be tested along with other samples and fundamental components of the NJ HSPA. This is even further broken down in New Jersey HSPA Language Arts Literacy Links []

After we have addressed the state tutorial and seek further examples of the HSPA we could look towards private study guides. A great resource I found was //the HSPA Success in Language Arts Literacy// workbook. According to the website it includes "reading exercises, both narrative and informational text, persuasive writing exercises and writing prompts. The workbook helps students practice analyzing persuasive, narrative and information texts, and provides a step-by-step guide to better essay writing." Instructivision, which is located in Pinebrook, NJ, offers examples from the test in an online testing, staff development and other tips for getting our students through the HSPA. __[]__

Another excellent resource is the website TeacherVision [] which has specific strategies for teaching the ADHD student. This website has many articles ranging from identification, assessment to curriculum modifications and even behavior modification programs. The objective of this website is a practical approach to effectively educating our Special Education population, specifically, the ADHD student.

Behavior modification programs can also be used to decrease behaviors and increase test scores. Students who have ADHD need structure. It helps establish limits therefore becoming better students. Behavior modification programs work very well for the ADHD child because of the instant gratification factor. The ADHD child usually does well in an environment where there are pre-set rules and pre established consequences for misbehavior. A great website with classroom strategies for the ADHD student is []

Organization, study skills and test preparation are important for most high school students but are paramount for the Special Education ADHD High School student. This website gives a detailed list of 7 categories important to both teacher and student in working with ADHD students. []

Probably the most important thing to realize in improving our ADHD students scores, is that not every technique works for every child. Our tasks as educators are to find and cultivate the talents of our students, allowing them to be the best they can be, not limited by their disability. Knowledge and understanding are by far the most important gifts anyone can give to their children or their students.

Please enjoy the following You Tube Clip for some more tips in teaching the ADHD child. []

