A Little Bit About the History of Test Dividers
Test Dividers was begun in 2013. I am a middle school science teacher, a veteran teacher with over 27 years in the classroom and a National Board Certified Teacher (Early Adolescence Science). While I want my students to “discuss and understand like a scientist”, when it came time for tests, I needed to assess what each student knew individually not as a group.
I tried to put folders together, taped cardboard boxes to tables, moved the tables around, cut science fair boards in half, scoured the Internet and tried to accomplish things on a budget. I was looking for something that was durable and an alternative to cardboard - which my students could easily destroy. I wanted to maximize concentration and minimize distractions.
I knew that some of my students were easily distracted by what goes on around them. I wanted my students to be able to concentrate on their own work, in their own space. If they were taking a test I did not want them to rush because they could see that everyone else was finished.
I wanted to have something that was easy to use and move - so that I could reconfigure the Test Dividers and support my lesson plans each day. I wanted to create the “Space of the Day” - individual work, testing, pair work, teamwork, writing corner, editing space or simply a space where my students could think and finish their work.
After several prototypes I was able to have a set of Test Dividers for use in my classroom. Several of the other teachers at my school and my PLC (Professional Learning Community) members saw the Test Dividers and wanted a set for their classroom. I then learned about injection molding, designed a proprietary stand and aligned myself with a great manufacturer. Together with my sister, Linda, a professor at a major university, and my daughter, Sara, a horseback riding instructor, we began Education Support Services, LLC and Test Dividers. It has now expanded into a family-run business to include my son, Tim, my son-in law, Matt, and my husband Scott. Our Test Dividers are used in elementary, middle and high school classrooms, and university lecture halls - transforming them into testing centers, and for high stakes state and national testing. They are also used by parents, tutors, and home-school families. They are used in consumer testing situations, jails, phone banks, and DMV’s (Department of Motor Vehicles.) We are proud to say that we can now be found in EVERY state in the United States and in numerous countries around the world.
We appreciate the opportunity to work with you and thank you for choosing Test Dividers. Marjie Smith, Founder and CEO
I tried to put folders together, taped cardboard boxes to tables, moved the tables around, cut science fair boards in half, scoured the Internet and tried to accomplish things on a budget. I was looking for something that was durable and an alternative to cardboard - which my students could easily destroy. I wanted to maximize concentration and minimize distractions.
I knew that some of my students were easily distracted by what goes on around them. I wanted my students to be able to concentrate on their own work, in their own space. If they were taking a test I did not want them to rush because they could see that everyone else was finished.
I wanted to have something that was easy to use and move - so that I could reconfigure the Test Dividers and support my lesson plans each day. I wanted to create the “Space of the Day” - individual work, testing, pair work, teamwork, writing corner, editing space or simply a space where my students could think and finish their work.
After several prototypes I was able to have a set of Test Dividers for use in my classroom. Several of the other teachers at my school and my PLC (Professional Learning Community) members saw the Test Dividers and wanted a set for their classroom. I then learned about injection molding, designed a proprietary stand and aligned myself with a great manufacturer. Together with my sister, Linda, a professor at a major university, and my daughter, Sara, a horseback riding instructor, we began Education Support Services, LLC and Test Dividers. It has now expanded into a family-run business to include my son, Tim, my son-in law, Matt, and my husband Scott. Our Test Dividers are used in elementary, middle and high school classrooms, and university lecture halls - transforming them into testing centers, and for high stakes state and national testing. They are also used by parents, tutors, and home-school families. They are used in consumer testing situations, jails, phone banks, and DMV’s (Department of Motor Vehicles.) We are proud to say that we can now be found in EVERY state in the United States and in numerous countries around the world.
We appreciate the opportunity to work with you and thank you for choosing Test Dividers. Marjie Smith, Founder and CEO
Our Team --- From left to right:
Tim - Financial Manager
Scott - Accounting Manager
Marjie - Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Sara - Operations/Social Media Director
Matt - Warehouse Manager
Linda - Marketing Manager (not pictured)