HSPA High School Proficiency Assessment 2010

What is the HSPA? The High School Proficiency Assessment (abbreviated HSPA & pronounced "hes-pah“) is a standardized test administered by the NJDOE to all NJ high school students in March of their 11th grade year. The exam tests students' proficiency in a variety of academic subjects including reading, writing, & mathematics.

Passing State law in NJ requires that you pass the HSPA in order to graduate high school (score of at least 200 on each section). If you do not pass in March of your junior year you will have two opportunities to take the HSPA again (October & March) of your senior year. Additionally, for those who are still unable to pass the exam or feel that they are "not good test-takers," the NJDOE gives students the option of participating in a "special review assessment process“ (SRA) to demonstrate their academic abilities.

Content of the HSPA The HSPA currently has two test sections: –Mathematics –Language Arts Literacy You will take the test over a three-day period for approximately two hours each day. –Mathematics will be tested on day 1. – Language Arts Literacy will be tested on days 2 & 3.

Mathematics Section Measures your ability to solve problems by applying mathematical concepts. The areas to be tested are: –Number & numerical operations –Geometry & measurement –Patterns & algebra –Data analysis, probability, statistics, & discrete mathematics Most questions are multiple choice. For the open-ended questions you must construct & explain your own written or graphic responses, Calculators are provided along with a Mathematics Reference Sheet that contains formulas & other useful information.

Language Arts Literacy Section Measure your achievements in interpreting, analyzing, & critiquing text by reading and writing. Consists of: –(1) Passage-based multiple choice questions –(2) Open-ended questions –(3) Writing prompts: Expository Persuasive

(1) Passage-based multiple choice questions 10 multiple choice questions on fictional passages (e.g. stories) 10 multiple-choice questions on nonfiction passages (e.g. essays, articles, etc.) 2 open-ended questions following each passage.

(2) Open-ended questions Will tests your: –Literal comprehension (getting the facts as stated in the text). –Inferential comprehension (thinking beyond what is directly stated in the text).

When answering opened-ended questions be sure to... Support your response with direct evidence from the passage (use quotes). Make a direct link between some feature of your world (personal anecdote, current event story, film, song, etc.) & the passage. Be specific. Add a connection even if they don’t ask for one! Structure your response as one long paragraph or three short paragraphs. DO NOT USE bullets or fragments!

(3)Writing Prompt: Expository You will compose an essay in which you incorporate your own experiences and examples from literature in response to a quote, adage, or universally acceptable topic.

Specific types of expository writing prompts Types of Prompts: –Quotes- famous quotations by historians, authors, politicians, etc. i.e. “Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment.” –Adages- short, memorable sayings that have great meaning attached. i.e. Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you react to it. –Universally Accessible Topic- “Food” for thought that is not attached to curriculum, but rather an idea formed from life experience. i.e. Some say that love is the most powerful emotion. Others think love is simply a reaction. “Harder, better faster, stronger…” “Early to bed, early to rise…” “To be or not to be…”

How to write your expository essay... Aim for a 4-paragraph response which uses various transitions. Remember that this is all expository (explanatory) not narrative (telling a story). You will need: introduction & conclusion that are well-developed, cohesive, have a single focus, & are organization & follow a logical progression. You will also need at least two well-developed examples, using vivid details, that directly relate to the prompt.

How to write your expository essay...(more tips) Get organized: –Introduction: grab the reader’s attention, integrate the quote/adage/topic, thesis statement –Body paragraph 1: Use example(s) from literature, history, science, film. Think about some major novels that you have read thus far & some historical figures. Figure out what they stand for, what themes they exemplify. –Body paragraph 2: Use example(s) from your own experience. You will write this as an explanation, not a narration. –Conclusion: Summarize your ideas. Remind the audience of your main point / thesis. Use a satisfactory close / clincher.

(3) Writing Prompt: Persuasive You will have to compose an argument (essay. letter, or speech) in response to a question/scenario/problem that concerns your world.

How to write your persuasive essay/letter/speech... In order to argue your case effectively we suggest you RANT, TEST, & RATE

RANT-Introduction –Restate the problem / scenario. –Agree or Disagree with the proposed solution. –Name your 3 main ideas/arguments (use evidence from literature & personal experiences). –THESIS STATEMENT (your overall point of view).

TEST-Body paragraphs –TRANSITION (to move from the previous idea). –Explain your main idea in a general statement. –Support idea with at least 3 ideas (facts, examples, evidence). –Tie up with a general concluding sentence. * don’t forget about using rhetorical appeals (see slides that follow).

RATE-Conclusion –Restate the problem / scenario. –Approach your 3 examples by REPHRASING (not restating) them. –Thematic Clincher. –Edit work using the only tool you have the writer’s checklist.

Rhetorical Appeals: Ethos Ethos Appeals: works to establish the writer’s own credibility. i.e. “In my experience as a student, athlete, fencer, debater, etc.”

Rhetorical Appeals: Pathos Pathos Appeals: works to call up sympathy or fear or other emotions in the audience. i.e. “Would somebody think of the children?!”

Rhetorical Appeals: Logos Logos Appeals: work to call upon the audience’s reason, common sense, or intellect. i.e. “If the authorities allow this injustice to occur, people will suffer” or “Studies show that...”

General test-taking tips Relax. Leave your cell phones at home. Think positively. Read the direction carefully before answering questions. Pace yourself during the test. Check your answers as you take the test.

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