West Virginia State Assessments: What do families need to know? [INSERT DATE]

1.What the new state tests mean for your child 2.What your child can expect 3.Ways to support your child 4.How to interpret test results 5.Additional resources for parents 1 Overview of Discussion

What the New State Tests Mean for Your Child

New Statewide Tests West Virginia adopted higher, more focused standards–the Common Core State Standards–in 2010 to better prepare students for college, technical schools, and careers. Our education system was falling short in developing the critical-thinking and problem-solving skills needed to compete with students from elsewhere in the world. New standards require new state tests that better measure these skills and allow students to show what they know and what they can do. Example Third Grade Reading Standard: “Determine the main idea of a text; recount the key details and explain how they support the main idea.” 3

New Statewide Tests Students in grades 3-11 will take the English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics tests. These tests are divided into two components that can each be taken online. Students will take the tests in two parts: o Computer Adaptive Test  Multiple-choice questions  Short-answer questions  Technology-enhanced questions  Machine-scored o Performance Task o Longer multi-step questions, including essays o Hand-scored Students in grades 4, 6 and 10 will take a fixed-form science test online. The statewide testing window is April 1-June 24, o Each district has a 36-day testing window based on its last day of instruction. 4

What is Smarter Balanced? The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium A group of states that have worked together to develop high quality tests in English and Math that are aligned to the new standards. West Virginia joined Smarter Balanced to create a new test aligned to our standards. West Virginia teachers were involved in the development of the new test. The tests were field-tested in Spring 2014 by more than 4 million students in 21 states, including in West Virginia. 5

What Do the Tests Measure? 6 English Language Arts Whether students can read and understand texts of varying complexities. How well students use information from several sources to make a persuasive argument. Whether they can write, using what they’ve read and multi-media to support their arguments. Math Whether students can understand and use important math ideas (i.e., number sense, algebraic thinking, geometry, and data analysis). How students use math facts and reasoning skills to solve real- world problems. How well students can justify their answers using math concepts.

How Do I Know What My Child is Expected to Learn This Year The PTA developed grade-specific “Guides to Student Success” so you know the skills your child should master and what he or she is expected to know every year: 7

What Students Can Expect

What’s Different About the Tests? The new tests go beyond the “bubble test.” Students show their work through: Extended writing, and multi-step questions which require students to apply the skills they have learned. They measure: Problem-solving Writing Critical thinking Reading Comprehension Listening Research 9

How Long Will the Tests Take? 10 These tests may take longer. Thinking critically, reading deeply, and writing a well- thought response takes more time than simply filling in a bubble. Necessary skills to practice and master. 36-day County testing window 5-8 sessions per student, depending on administration schedule and grade level Estimated Time: 7-8 1/2 hours total

What Will be Different in Math? Students will: Show their work and demonstrate that they understand a concept in addition to memorizing the formula. Compute math problems quickly and accurately. Know multiple ways to solve problems, allowing them to choose the method that is best. 11

EXAMPLE: 5 th Grade Math Test 12 Previous WESTEST 2 Example:

13 New West Virginia General Summative Assessment Example: EXAMPLE: 5 th Grade Math Test

14 Previous WESTEST 2 Example: EXAMPLE: 6 th Grade Math Test

15 New West Virginia General Summative Assessment Example: EXAMPLE: 6 th Grade Math Test

What Will be Different in English Language Arts? Students will: –Show they can read and understand complex passages. –Use evidence to support their ideas in written responses at every grade level. –Research a topic and use the findings to make a claim and draw a conclusion. 16

17 Previous WESTEST 2 Online Writing Example: EXAMPLE: 6 th Grade Writing Prompt

18 New West Virginia General Summative Assessment Example: EXAMPLE: 6 th Grade ELA Performance Task.

EXAMPLE: 7 th Grade ELA Test 19 Previous WESTEST 2 Example:

EXAMPLE: 7 th Grade ELA Test New West Virginia General Summative Assessment Example: 20

Ways to Support Your Student

How Can I Help at Home? Take a moment to review a practice test with your child: Talk with your child and reassure him/her that these tests aren’t the kind you “cram” for, but just measure what they’ve mastered from their classwork. Assure your child they have enough time to finish. Have them read a variety of materials at home, including fiction and informational texts. Involve learning in everyday activities. Mix math into cooking or shopping. Ask children to express opinions and to back their views.

How To Interpret Test Results

How will tests be scored? 24 LevelDescription 4Exceeded the Standard 3Met the Standard 2Nearly Met the Standard 1Has Not Met the Standard Reports will include scale score and an achievement level.

New Tests New Baselines These upgraded tests are harder. With a greater emphasis on deeper learning, we have raised the bar for our students, parents, and teachers. This new bar cannot be compared to the old one. The scores are not higher or lower, just different. 25

How Will Scores be Used? Test results will help schools to: Make instructional decisions. Determine individual needs of students:  Extra support?  More challenging work?  Recommendations for future classes? Scores do not impact GPA, class ranking, or college acceptance. 26

Transition Year One 27 It will take more time to score the performance-based and writing components since it has never been done before.

Transition Year Two 28 Will be able to compare the scores from this year’s to see progress and strengths and weaknesses.

Thank You To Our Teachers 29 A Transition: Learning the new standards Engaging lessons Helped develop the Smarter Balanced ELA and mathematics assessments

30 Resources for More Information

Where Can I Find More Info? 31 Great Web Sites Smarter Balanced Practice Tests: Reading, Writing, Math Practice Tests Smarter Balanced Info: Parent Friendly Information and Resources : BeALearningHero.org and Facebook.com/bealearningheroBeALearningHero.org Facebook.com/bealearninghero West Virginia Department of Education : West Virginia Assessment Portal:

West Virginia’s New State Assessments: Questions?