12 Powerful Words that Increase Test Scores
and Help Close the Achievement Gap

Educator Larry Bell presented a workshop for Shelby County Schools on effectively using 12 words that have proven to increase test scores and close the achievement gap between minority students and their counterparts during the System-wide Inservice in October. Mr. Bell's research has proven that using these words daily will drastically increase standardized test scores. Many schools across the nation have adopted his program and have seen drastic improvements in their test results. The following twelve words often trip students up on the yearly standardized test:

trace, analyze, infer, evaluate, formulate, describe,
support, explain, summarize, compare, contrast, predict

These words are higher order thinking skill words that require students to think at the highest possible level. Using these words daily will give our students a heads- up on their in-depth meanings during the standardized test. The more students are exposed to them and practice them, the more comfortable they will be with using them on a daily basis.

Our teachers will be modeling and defining a word a week. As you see these
words being used on classroom newsletters, tests, vocabulary or spelling
lists, reiterate the meaning with your child. Help us as we expose our
students to these twelve powerful words by using them at home in your daily
conversation with your child(ren).

As always, thanks for your support and dedication to Lakeland Elementary School and to your child's education.