Road To Success When Prepping for the EOC By: Lianna Oldham

As the school semester comes to an end, the EOC testing begins. According to GeorgiaDepartmentofEducation.org, “High school or middle school students enrolled in courses designated by the State Board of Education take End-of-Course (EOC) assessments.” During the EOC period, students at Hillgrove High School are tested on their knowledge and understanding of the material they were taught throughout the semester.” Hillgrove students recognize the help they get before the EOC.

Junior, Mia Ford, expresses ways that her teacher has helped her prepare for the EOC, “Okay, so I think I'm just taking an EOC in one class, and that's history. My history teacher, Coach Kaddah, I mean, he's trying to prepare us like he prepares us with quizzes. Yesterday we did a Jeopardy, he gave us a packet, like, with some really old content that none of us remembered. So, I would say he's doing well because he's giving us, like, a lot of like, resources. Teachers play a key role in when helping students for the EOC. Algebra teacher, Mrs. Sweet, expresses how she helps her students feel more confident when they’re taking the EOC, “I think when we kind of simulate the testing environment before the EOC, so they have confidence. So we do timed tests just like the EOC, we do lots of partner work and group works, so they can build that confidence with each other, and then when they go into the EOC, they've practiced it so many times that they feel super confident the day of the test." 

The EOC is a more intricate version of a standardized test. According to SchoolsThatLead.org, “Standardized testing is an assessment method created on the principle of consistency. All elementary, middle school, and high school students are required to complete standardized tests, which consists of each student receiving the same set of questions, provide an answer (either written or multiple choice), which is then graded by a teacher based on a rubric or answer key." Like most tests, the EOC can increase pressure and anxiety levels for some Hillgrove High School students. Junior, Michael Johnson, highlights what pressure a timed EOC can create, “Because some people take more time on questions. So, if, like, if you have five minutes left and you have 15 questions, it's kind of makes you, like, rush and get wrong questions.” Mrs. Sweet, expresses the stress and pressure she gets as a teacher, “I feel pressure because I want my students to do well on it so it is tied to our overall school ratings, like I said, but just as a teacher, I want my students to have that confidence coming out of their freshman year, and sometimes that EOC is tied to their confidence, which it really shouldn't, but I always want them just knowing that I did well. I feel confident about my math ability, and I can go into higher classes.”

The EOC is a challenge and an opportunity for Hillgrove High School students to do well and progress to their next grade level. Teachers play a role by helping students review and feel accomplished when they’re taking the EOC. Hillgrove High School students and teachers use review and notes to help feel ready for the EOC. The EOC also helps to show students understanding of the knowledge they were taught. Once the EOC is done students should feel confident in themselves for everything they’ve done this year.