Presented by: Marianne Serratore Principal - Montgomery Elementary School

Grade 3-8 English Language Arts Tuesday, April 17- Thursday, April 19 th Grade 3-8 Mathematics Wednesday, April 25 – Friday, April 27 th

 Scores on NYS Assessments determine student placement in Academic Intervention Services.  Research indicates that scores on NYS Assessments predict success on future assessments.

 Schools and School Districts are judged on student performance on these assessments. Mandates cost money.  Teachers and principals will be evaluated, in part, by the progress their students make on standardized assessments.

The Only Constant is Change!  Length of assessments  Testing formats  High Stakes are Higher  Common Core Standards  PARC Assessments SEE HANDOUTS

GradesBookEstimated Time for Completion Day Administered 3, 4 and Total Estimated Time 175 This time does not include time for preparation, reading aloud the listening section, or for breaks. Teachers need to allot for 90 minutes for each test.

READING In the reading sections of the English Language Arts Tests, students read several passages representing a variety of genres. For each passage, students apply the skills and knowledge gained in the classroom by answering reading comprehension questions that demonstrate their understanding of the passages.

READING Tests at every grade level contain both literary and informational reading passages. Literary passages may include short stories, folk tales, poetry, or other forms of literary writing. Informational passages may include articles, excerpts from biographies or autobiographies, essays, or other forms of informational writing.

LISTENING  For the listening sections of the English Language Arts Tests, students listen to a passage and apply skills and knowledge gained in the classroom to answer comprehension questions. The questions are designed to demonstrate students’ understanding of the passage.  Students must take careful notes during the second reading of the listening selection to assist them in answering the questions that follow.

Reading/Writing The reading/writing section of the tests will be composed of four short-response questions and one extended-response question. Students will be required to read passages representing a variety of genres. The reading/writing section for Grades 4–8 will include paired passages. Students will write from a variety of prompts and for many different audiences. Student responses will be evaluated on how well the writing addresses the task and demonstrates understanding of the passages.

Book 1Book 2Book 3Total 7 passages (literary and informational) 36 multiple-choice Questions * Embedded Field Questions 1 listening selection (literacy) 5 multiple-choice listening questions 3 short-response listening questions 1 extended- response listening question 2 reading passages (literary and informational) 12 multiple-choice questions. 2 passages (literary –not paired) 4 short- response questions 1 extended- response question 12 passages (including the listening section) 53 multiple choice questions 7 short-response questions 2 extended- response questions.

Book 1Book 2Book 3Total 7 passages (literary and informational) 37 multiple-choice Questions * Embedded Field Questions 1 listening selection (literacy) 5 multiple-choice listening questions 3 short-response listening questions 1 extended- response listening question 2 reading passages (literary and informational) 15multiple-choice questions. 2 paired passages 1 single passage (informational) 4 short-response questions 1 extended- response question 13 passages (including the listening section) 57 multiple choice questions 7 short-response questions 2 extended- response questions.

Book 1Book 2Book 3Total 7 passages (literary and informational) 39 multiple-choice Questions * Embedded Field Questions 1 listening selection (literacy) 5 multiple-choice listening questions 3 short-response listening questions 1 extended- response listening question 2 reading passages (literary and informational) 13multiple-choice questions. 2 paired passages 1 single passage (informational) 4 short- response questions 1 extended- response question 13 passages (including the listening section) 57 multiple choice questions 7 short-response questions 2 extended- response questions.

Writing mechanics has been added to the rubric for scoring extended-response questions in Listening and in Reading/Writing.

Writing will be scored on……….  How clearly a student organizes their writing and expresses what they have learned.  How accurately and completely a student answers the questions being asked.  How well a student supports their response with examples or details from the text.  How correctly a student uses spelling, grammar, capitalization, and punctuation. SEE HANDOUT

GradesBookEstimated Time for Completion Day Administered 3, 4 and for Grade 3 60 for Grades 4 and 5 3 Total Estimated Time Grade Grade 4/5-180

BookNumber of Multiple Choice Questions Number of Short Response Questions Number of Extended Response Questions Total Number of Questions Total584365

BookNumber of Multiple Choice Questions Number of Short Response Questions Number of Extended Response Questions Total Number of Questions Total625471

BookNumber of Multiple Choice Questions Number of Short Response Questions Number of Extended Response Questions Total Number of Questions Total604468

Between 39% and 48% of the math assessment is comprised of questions measuring number sense and operations. SEE VCSD MATH CURRICULMS

So What Can We do to Help Our Children Succeed?

 Do talk to your child about testing. It is helpful for children to understand why school’s give tests and to know about the different types of tests they may take.  Explain that the results of these tests help teachers to know the strengths and weaknesses of their students.

 Explain that the results of the tests help teachers to make changes to instruction that will help them to succeed.  Explain that all the students in the State of New York take the very same test so that schools can be compared against schools and districts against districts.

Please remind your children to:  Read all of the directions carefully.  Plan their time  Read each question carefully and think about their answer before responding.  Do their best.

Avoid Test Anxiety  Encourage your child and praise them for their successes in school.  Remember that tests often reflect a child’s overall achievement. Promote good study habits.  Place importance on school.  Have students attend school regularly and be on time each day.

During Testing Week…….  Make sure your child gets plenty of rest.  Make sure your child has a healthy breakfast. Testing week is not the time for “Pop-Tarts”.  Make sure your child is in school and on time.

Concerned about Un-Funded Mandates and the Role of High Stakes Testing in the State of New York? CONTACT YOUR LOCAL LEGISTATORS AND THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT See Handout

The following website may also prove useful: a4.cfm Resources Please take a moment to read “A Parent’s Guide to Testing at your Child’s School”.

Questions?