Standards

In the classroom where I am volunteering right now, the students are preparing to take the SAGE test. Before the date of the SAGE test was as close as it is now, there wasn't much preparation going on for it, lessons preceded as normal in every different subject area. However, a couple of weeks ago the children took a practice test and the scores were horrific. After evaluating the test scores the teacher has decided to put all effort towards preparing for the test. The 3rd graders spend most of their day practicing Math and English materials. I have noticed that more emphasis at this point, is being put towards their math skills. I think this is because the math that is on the SAGE test is much more abstract then what they are use to doing. For example, the children are most use to doing math problems that are straight forward like 5678-2890=?. The problems, from what I understand, on the assessments require a bit more thinking, they are problems such as story problems. This is harder for them to understand, thus the extra practice. The teacher that I work with, does not like the standardized testing at all. She thinks it is a complete waste of time. She would rather the children be able to show what they know through different mediums such as projects, research, or presentations.