Community members will have a chance to learn how challenging the Kansas state assessments given to USD 383 schoolchildren are during the first "Take the Test Day."

The event will be held on Monday, February 4 from noon - 1:30 pm at Robinson Education Center, 2031 Poyntz Avenue. Participants, including elected officials and other community leaders, will take a sample test made up of questions from past statewide tests. Then participants will discuss the test and how it measures student achievement.

Manhattan/Ogden’s "Take the Test Day" is part of a statewide program to inform the public about the rigorous testing required by the Kansas State Board of Education. State legislators and members of the State Board of Education are taking the test at the State Capitol on Monday, February 4, 2002. School districts throughout the state are sponsoring similar events during that week.

"We want to show the community that our standards are challenging and our expectations are high," said USD 383’s Director of Assessment Lori Martin. "‘Take the Test Day’ is a good way to demonstrate what children have to know and be able to do."

"Kansas Take the Test Day" is conducted by the Kansas State Department of Education, and sponsored by members of the Kansas Association of School Boards, the Kansas National Education Association, Kansas School Public Relations Association and United School Administrators of Kansas.

For more information, call 587-2000x1827.