A School Improvement Resource from the Virginia Department of Education:
Test Taking Strategies from Hampton Public Schools
Dr. Patrick Russo, Superintendent

The Hampton Eleven and Hampton Fifteen test-taking strategy programs are modeled after the 12 Powerful Words program created and presented by Larry Bell of Cobb County Public Schools in Georgia. Eleven words frequently included in Standards of Learning test items have been incorporated into instructional and parent activities designed to help elementary level students understand each word. In the middle schools, five foundational words and ten additional words essential for each core subject area were selected and reinforced school-wide. The successful project will continue into the 2007-2008 school year.

Each word is presented with student-friendly language, a visual symbol and a song (chant) or rhyme to learn approximately every two weeks. Hampton City Schools have demonstrated that understanding and using these words make the language of testing accessible to every student.

• The 12 Powerful Words by Larry Bell

• Presentation on the Hampton Eleven by the Hampton City Schools’ Benchmark Specialist, Paula Brown (Powerpoint Presentation)

• The Hampton Eleven. (Word Document)

• Words to the Hampton Eleven Chants (Word Document)

• The Hampton Fifteen for Middle Schools. (Word Document)

• Words to Two Hampton Fifteen Chants (Word Document)

• Test Questions that Contain the Key Words (Word Document)

• Video clips of the Hampton Eleven and the Hampton Fifteen Used in Classroom Settings