Many students around the commonwealth were sharpening their number two pencils this morning. Today is the first day schools around the state can start giving C.A.T.S. tests. Students in grades third through twelve will be tested for roughly two weeks on various subjects.

The State Department of Education wants to remind parents on what they can do to help make testing successful. Kids should get a good night's sleep and eat breakfast. Parents should ask children about the tests to help them through the stressful period.