FCAT Reading & Mathematics Performance Task Responses Strategies for getting a top score Division of Performance Accountability Department of Assessment Nancy E. Brito, Instructional Specialist , PX47521

SR & ER make up approximately 11% to 14% of the FCAT Tests Why should students practice answering Performance Tasks?

Reading

READ AND PLAN Students should… read the entire question and understand what is being asked of them plan the answers to performance tasks (PT’s). Reading Tip 1:

ANSWER THE ENTIRE QUESTION Students should… remember that multi-part PT’s require multi- part answers. –Example - Explain what causes X…and why this is important to Y. remember the PT rule that S=plural=more than one. –Example - What are the causes of X? What are the effects of Y? Reading Tip 2:

JUST THE FACTS! NO OPINIONS, PLEASE! Students should… refer to the passage/article/story for evidence and/or support. not include outside knowledge. not include opinions in the answers to PT’s. Reading Tip 3:

DETAILS, DETAILS, DETAILS! Students should… remember to use text-based details that are relevant to the answer. –Examples – How, why, when, where, who, etc. remember to paraphrase text support as much as possible. Reading Tip 4:

DEMONSTRATE READING COMPREHENSION Students should… avoid summarizing or retelling the plot, unless required to do so. avoid list-like or bullet style responses. These usually contain insufficient support. not use Venn Diagrams or other types of writing planning devices. Reading Tip 5:

LEAVE ROOM FOR THE ANSWER Students should… know that a short-response box has only 8 lines. know that an extended-response box has 14 lines. avoid using 3 to 4 lines to rewrite the question. avoid writing below, up the side of, or on top of the box. Reading Tip 6:

FCAT READING VS. FCAT WRITING Students should be reminded that… the answer to a reading PT does not need an introduction, a body with three main points, and a conclusion. Focus on the reading content rather than format. the answer space for reading is smaller, so all information in the answer should be pertinent to the question. Reading Tip 7:

STOP WRITING WHEN THE QUESTION HAS BEEN ANSWERED Students should… use only as many lines as it takes to give a complete and correct answer. remember that just “filling up all the lines with writing” can sometimes confuse or negate the answer. Reading Tip 8:

Remember… The student has the responsibility to convey understanding. The scorers cannot “read into” responses. Students responses are not scored on conventions; but conventions may indirectly affect a score if they impede understanding.

Items are not written for students to answer verbatim. They need to paraphrase. Complete copying does not demonstrate the highest level of comprehension. This is a reading test, not a writing test. Remember…

Mathematics

READ AND UNDERSTAND Students should… read the entire question carefully think about and analyze what they are being asked to do make sure they understand the question before they begin Mathematics Tip 1:

SOLVE THE PROBLEM Students should… solve the problem using the appropriate strategy determine what information is relevant to the problem and what is not use appropriate terms when solving problems, –i.e. dimension, volume, surface area Mathematics Tip 2:

GIVE CLEAR AND CONCISE EXPLANATIONS Students should… solve the problem and write the solution or its explanation as directed be sure to answer each part of the question Use information from graphs, diagrams, illustrations to formulate and defend conclusions Mathematics Tip 3:

USE NECESSARY TIME Students should… take about 5 minutes to answer each SR question Take about minutes for each ER question Mathematics Tip 4: Remember: Students should use as much of the recommended time as they need.

REMEMBER THE ANSWER Students should… keep their writing inside the box show all their work answer as much of the question as they can because partially correct answers may receive credit. Mathematics Tip 5:

Remember Some questions may require students to apply previously acquired mathematical knowledge from lower grades. Diagrams, charts, and illustrations must be clearly labeled.

General Tips Create rubrics to clarify expectations of target. Make sure the rubrics include everything that should be present to get top scores. Involve students in the creation of rubrics. Provide students with feedback that is constructive, timely, focused on achievement, specific to the learning outcome and is done often.

TELL ME, I’LL FORGET… …Ancient Chinese Proverb SHOW ME, I’LL REMEMBER… INVOLVE ME, I’LL UNDERSTAND!