What strategies can teachers use to support students with anxiety during assessments?

Providing accommodations such as extended time or a quiet environment is an effective strategy for supporting students with anxiety during assessments. This approach acknowledges that students with anxiety may struggle under typical testing conditions, which can exacerbate their symptoms and hinder their performance.

Extended time allows students to process questions at their own pace, reducing pressure and giving them the opportunity to manage any anxious feelings that may arise. A quiet environment minimizes distractions and helps create a comfortable space where students can focus on their work without the added stressors of noise or interruptions.

In contrast, other strategies that involve limiting support or fostering competition can actually increase anxiety levels rather than alleviate them. Encouraging competition among students might create a high-pressure atmosphere that could be detrimental to those already struggling with anxiety. Similarly, providing no support or limiting breaks could marginalize the needs of anxious students, leaving them without the necessary tools to perform to the best of their abilities.