Understanding the PSSA Third Grade Parent Workshop Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Welcome Thank you all for coming. This workshop will help you better understand the PSSA and how we have prepared for the assessment.   Please be sure to have: Sign in Sheet Evaluation Form Scratch Paper and pencil Student prepared folder Workshop Power point

What is the PSSA? PSSA stands for Pennsylvania System of School Assessment. This state assessment was created to measure if we were meeting the federal guidelines of the No Child Left Behind Act. Students in grades 3-8 will be taking part in the PSSA Language Arts and Math Assessment in April. student letters to explain the PSSA

Frequently Asked Questions What do the assessments include? Each student completes four sections of Language Arts (Writing too) and three sections of Math. Some sections will be the same for all students, while others will consist of different types of questions. What types of questions are on the assessments?? There are many types of questions on the PSSA: multiple-choice, evidence based selected response, open ended, writing prompt, and short answer.

Frequently Asked Questions COntinued…. Can my child opt out of PSSA Testing? In order to opt out of the test, you must meet with Mr. Richard Britten the district Curriculum Director. Can I view the PSSA?? Once again, you have to set up an appointment with Mr. Richard Britten.

Tuesday and Wednesday of Both Weeks Who scores the PSSA? Multiple-choice questions are scored by computers. Written responses for the open-ended items are scored by evaluators following a scoring system. How long do the assessments take? The entire Language Arts and Math assessment will take approximately six - seven hours. The test is not timed; however, students must finish each section before lunch or at the time of dismissal. The third grade PSSA is given over two weeks. April 4 & 5 and April 25 & 26 Tuesday and Wednesday of Both Weeks

Who administers the PSSA? Teachers, principals, administrators, teacher aides, and guidance counselors are all trained annually to administer the assessment. What is assessed on the PSSA? Language Arts consists of a variety of categories: fictional and nonfictional genres, assessing comprehension, reading skills, and interpretation of what they have read. Mathematics consists of five reporting categories, varying by grade level.

PSSA Language Arts ASSESSMENT Passage Types - Two Stories - One Poem - One Informational - One Autobiography/Biography or one Practical/How-to/Advertisement 60 multiple-choice items 4 writing prompts, 4 short answers, 8-9 Evidence Based Selected Response

Mathematics Student score comes from: - 60 multiple choice questions - Three open-ended questions Students take: - 72 multiple choice in grades 3 - 8 - Four open-ended questions

When will I get my child’s results? When is the PSSA? April 4th and April 5th Language Arts (All Day) April 25th and April 26th Mathematics (A.M and P.M. – Tuesday, A.M. – Wednesday) When will I get my child’s results? You will receive the results by mail sometime over the summer or fall. The results may affect the courses your child is enrolled in for next school year.

We Have Been Working Hard Preparing… Performance Coach Book (PSSA and Common Core Aligned) Performance Coach Assessment Booklets (Week Before) PSSA Release Items (Two Weeks Before) Xtra Math – Fact Fluency IXL Math – Third Grade Mathematics Concepts Raz Kids – Reading Comprehension at Student Level Accelerated Reader – Reading Comprehension WRITING!!  (Opinion, Narrative, Informational, Persuasive) PSSA Language Arts and Mathematics Bingo Title I Money and Time take home kits. March 20

Encouragement 1. Encouragement letter from parents 2. Bell Township Student Encouragement Cards 3. Parkview Student Encouragement Cards & Signs 4. Snacks after each assessment 5. Encouragement Classroom Bulletin Board 6. Encouragement Letters from Dr. Weber

Code of conduct Do… Listen to, read, and follow all directions given Ask questions for clarification Read each question carefully Record answers in the correct section Completely fill in bubbles Answer each question even if it’s a guess Check that each section is completed before closing book Take your time! 

Code of Conduct Do not… Bring notes to the test Bring electronic divices: Cell phones, fit bit, etc. Share calculators/notes with others Put stray marks on the answer key A pencil that is not a number 2

How can I help my child? Doctors Appointments/Sick PSSA After School tutoring March 13 – April 5 3:30-4:30 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday Ensure he/she gets plenty of rest each night Provide a healthy breakfast Wear a comfortable outfit – hoodie Remind your child to read all directions, work out problems, and answer each question Review your child’s multiplication facts Ease any anxieties he/she may be feeling Inquire about your child’s test/day at school Doctors Appointments/Sick

Online Resources Quizlet: Math and language arts term activities http://www.punxsy.k12.pa.us/Domain/370 Additional packets Go Math Folder: vocabulary cards, Glossary, Extra games and activities

Thank you for coming! Questions??