1. What parents are asking about West Virginia Educational Standards Test () What parents are asking about West Virginia Educational Standards Test (WESTEST) Office of Student Assessment Services WV Department of Education

2. The Purpose of WESTEST West Virginia Educational Standards Test (WESTEST) is an assessment that measures student achievement of the West Virginia Content Standards and Objectives (CSOs). The test provides information about your child’s academic strengths and weaknesses by performance level descriptors.

3. Descriptions of the Tests WESTEST is a test of West Virginia’s Content Standards and Objectives (CSOs) in the following grade levels and content areas: GRADES 3 – 8: Reading/language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies GRADE 10: Reading/ language arts, mathematics, and science

4. Reading/Language Arts The test measures vocabulary and reading comprehension skills for gaining information, performing tasks, and reading for literary experience. Additionally, the test measures writing skills to include language mechanics and language expression. Number of questions by grade level. 3 RD 4 TH 5 TH 6 TH 7 TH 8 TH 10 TH 70757675 80

5. Mathematics Test The test measures conceptual understanding, procedural knowledge, problem solving, and mathematical skills in the areas of number and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, and data analysis and probability. Number of questions by grade level 3 RD 4 TH 5 TH 6 TH 7 TH 8 TH 10 TH 52 49

6. Science The test measures conceptual understanding, scientific investigation, and practical reasoning in the following areas: history and nature of science, science as inquiry, unifying themes, science subject matter, scientific design and application, and science in personal and social perspectives. Number of questions by grade level 3 RD 4 TH 5 TH 6 TH 7 TH 8 TH 10 TH 50 5250

7. Social Studies The test measures conceptual understanding and skills in the areas of citizenship, civics, economics, geography, and history. Number of questions by grade level 3 RD 4 TH 5 TH 6 TH 7 TH 8 TH 10 TH 50

8. Preparation for WESTEST Preparation for WESTEST is conducted by teachers on the following daily basis: –teaching the content standards and objectives (for both academic and WESTEST success). –preparing students to respond to both multiple choice/and constructed response questions in their classroom assessments.

9. 2. According to the story, why does Toby sit like a stone when the chicken pecks at his toe? (A) He is tired after chasing the chicken. (B) He is afraid the chicken will hurt him. (C) He wants the chicken to leave him alone. (D) He does not want to scare the chicken away. What types of questions will students be asked? Sample Question Reading/Language Arts - Grade Three The student reads a passage and responds to a question.

10. What kinds of questions will students be asked? Constructed Response Questions require the student to create an answer. This type of question is scored by trained personnel using a rubric.

11. What types of questions will students be asked? Sample Question Mathematics - Grade Three The student responds to the question. 1. Which of these is the same as 8,576? (A) 8 + 5 + 7 + 6 (B) 800 + 57 + 6 (C) 8,500 + 700 + 6 (D) 8,000 + 500 + 70 + 6

12. What types of questions will students be asked? Sample Question Mathematics - Grade Four The student estimates the length and answers the question.

13. What types of questions will students be asked? Sample Question Mathematics - Grade Five The student reads the information and responds to the question. Mike had a box of 12 cookies. There were 5 chocolate chip cookies, 3 oatmeal cookies, and the rest were vanilla cookies. Mike picked a cookie from the box without looking. What is the probability that he picked a vanilla cookie? (A) 1/3 (B) 3/8 (C) 5/12 (D) 2/3

14. What types of questions will students be asked? Grade 3 Science constructed response question.

15. What types of questions will students be asked? Grade 4 Science Multiple Choice type question.

16. What types of questions will students be asked? Grade Three Social Studies Constructed Response Question

17. What types of questions will students be asked? Grade four Social Studies Multiple Choice Question

18. What types of questions will students be asked? Grade five Social Studies Multiple Choice Question Exchanging a personal item for another item of equal value without using money is called (A) loan (B) credit (C) barter (D) savings

19. Understanding WESTEST WESTEST is a custom designed test which measures student mastery of the West Virginia CSOs. WESTEST identifies students’ level of performance in the content areas of reading/language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. –Levels of performance are based on the clearly defined standards, objectives, and skill levels as determined and defined in Policy 2520. For further information, please visit http://wvde.state.wv.us/csos/. http://wvde.state.wv.us/csos/

20. Understanding WESTEST Your child’s performance is compared to academic standards rather than to the performance of a national sample population of students. Results of the tests will be used by your child’s teachers and principal(s) to improve student achievement.

21. Understanding WESTEST Reports

22. Using WESTEST Reports Results of the tests will be used by your child’s teachers and principal to improve student learning. The ITEM RESPONSE RIGHT RESPONSE (IRRR) will provide the school the information about your child’s performance on WESTEST.

23. What parents can do to help P.A.R.E.N.T.S. Participate in your child’s school learning activities. Studies have shown that parental participation and influence have long-term positive effects. Assist the teacher by discussing with your child the importance of listening to and following directions.

24. P.A.R.E.N.T.S. Reassure your child that this test measures learning and shows strengths and accomplishments, as well as areas needing improvement. Assure that your child gets a good night’s rest before testing. Encourage your child to work to his/her potential and strive to complete each part of the test.

25. P.A.R.E.N.T.S. Nutrition and nurturing are both important. Provide your child with a nutritional breakfast as hunger can have a negative effect on performance. Test Taking is a part of your child’s educational process. Remind your child of the different tests he/she will take during his or her educational years and, later, in the work place

26. P.A.R.E.N.T.S. Stay Involved by shaping good study habits, encouraging reading activities, checking homework and other completed schoolwork.

27. West Virginia Department of Education WESTEST QUESTIONS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE KAREN HALL 487-1551 AT THE MERCER COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION.