1. Medlock Bridge Parent Coffee Georgia Milestones Testing December 9, 2015

2. What is the Georgia Milestones Test?  One measure that is used to determine student progress on state standards  The Georgia Milestones measure how well students have learned the knowledge and skills outlined in the state-adopted content standards in language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.

3. What are the Different Levels?  Beginning Learner- These students do not yet demonstrate proficiency in the knowledge and skills necessary at this grade level, as specified in Georgia’s content standards. These students need substantial academic support.  Developing Learner- These students demonstrate partial proficiency in the knowledge and skills necessary at this grade level, as specified by Georgia’s content standards. These students need additional academic support.

4. What are the Different Levels?  Proficient Learners- These students demonstrate proficiency in the knowledge and skills necessary at this grade level of learning, as specified in Georgia’s content standards. These students are prepared for the next grade level.  Distinguished Learners- These students demonstrate advanced proficiency in the knowledge and skills necessary at this grade level, as specified in Georgia’s content standards. The students are well prepared for the next grade level.

5. Important Updates for this Year  Students in grades 3 through 8 take the End of Grade test April 12 th -27th.  This year, 3 rd & 5 th grade students will have to pass the Reading for promotion (At/Above Grade level Lexile)  5 th grade students will have to pass the Math for promotion (Developing Level or higher)

6. How does the Milestones Test differ from the CRCT?  Students are asked to find the answer to a question and support their answers by using evidence from the text.  Open-ended items (also known as constructed-response) require students to provide both short answer and extended types of responses. Multiple-choice questions are also included.

7. How does the Milestones Test differ from the CRCT?  A writing component (in response to passages read by students) is within the language arts assessment  Norm-referenced items are in all content areas and courses, to complement the criterion-referenced information and to provide a national comparison;  Online administration

8. Student Score Reports

11. What is a Lexile Measure?  A Lexile measure is a standard score that matches a student’s reading ability with difficulty of text material. A Lexile measure can be interpreted as the level of book that a student can read with 75% comprehension. Experts have identified a 75% comprehension level as offering the reader a certain amount of comfort and yet still offering a challenge.

12. What is a Lexile Range?  The Lexile ® Framework helps to describe the text complexity necessary for students to meet the demands of colleges and careers. This redesign now displays college and career ready “stretch” Lexile bands. Grade College & Career Ready “Stretch” Lexile Bands 1190L to 530L 2420L to 650L 3520L to 820L 4740L to 940L 5830L to 1010L 6925L to 1070L 7970L to 1120L 81010L to 1185L 91050L to 1260L 101080L to 1335L 11 and 121185L to 1385L

13. Where Can I Find More Info about Lexiles?  Medlock uses the Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System (BAS)to monitor students’ reading progress  Correlation chart  You can find the Lexile level of most books via www.lexile.comwww.lexile.com

14. Next Steps????  Students in the Beginning and Developing Levels have been identified and teachers are implementing strategies to help these students in reading and math  In late January/early February, all students will take the district diagnostic test (STAR) and the results will be communicated to parents

15. Next Steps????  Remediation resources will be provided to identified students in reading and math (digital and print)  A new math series has been purchased by Fulton  A Milestones Resource Page will be added to our school website for parents  The state has provided a practice website

16. What Can I Do to Best Prepare My Child?  Help your child select books that are at the appropriate Lexile level  Ask your child to use evidence to support their answers  Help your child formulate written responses  Carefully review your child’s math homework, study guides and unit tests  Utilize the practice site provided by the state  Make sure that your child knows that their academic success is based on more than one test

17.  Please write any questions that you may have on an index card.  We will do our best to address your questions – if we are unsure of the answer, we will investigate to find it for you. Questions ?