Parkway District schools are alerting parents with sophomores in high school and students in middle school that mid-September will bring a number of opportunities for standardized testing.

One of them, called PLAN may indicate whether a student is a good candidate for Advanced Placement courses.

PLAN results may also indicate whether a student could benefit from another course that would prepare them for Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate program, dual enrollment and other potentially rigorous courses of study.

The PLAN test is part of the familiar ACT and SAT battery pre-college tests. It tests four areas: English, Math, Reading, and Science. It should measure course curriculum-related knowledge.

Scores range from 1 to 32. The results would typically be available by mid-November, according to the district.

In Parkway Northeast Middle School Principal Kim Brandon's newsletter, the district tells parents of sixth and seventh grade students to be ready for the Fall Stanford Achievement Tenth Edition (SAT 10) and the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT).

SAT 10 tests existing knowledge and possible learning gaps while OLSAT looks at problem solving and what the district calls "the relationship between a student’s ability and achievement."

Eighth grade students will be taking tests under the banner of EXPLORE, which are related in some ways to PLAN and the ACT.

All of the middle school testing will take place during the week of September 12.

The district suggests parents help students prepare by feeling rested and well, not hungry or thirsty, and not anxious.

Help your students understand to follow the teachers' instructions and do their best. Remind students not to spend too much time on any one question since the tests are timed, but without rushing through the questions.

Parents and students should receive more information soon, according to the district.

For more information contact Parkway's district assessment coordinator Julie Collins jcollins1@parkwayschools.net