1. Transitioning to Georgia’s New Assessment System

2. ASSESSMENT & TESTING

3. 3 End of Course (EOC) Assessments Specified high school courses End of Grade (EOG) Assessments Grades 3-8 State Testing Windows Main Administrations Winter 2014: 12/01 - 01/09 Spring 2015: 04/27 - 06/05 Summer 2015: 06/15 - 07/17 Mid-Month Administrations 01/20 – 01/30 02/09 – 02/20 03/02 – 03/13 Main Administration March 30 – May 1, 2015 Local Testing Window Winter 2014 Monday Dec 8: Physical Science/Biology Tuesday Dec 9: 9 th Grade Lit/American Lit (Section I and II) Wednesday Dec 10: 9 th Grade Lit/American Lit (Section III) Thursday Dec 11: Coordinate Algebra, Analytic Geometry Friday Dec 12: Economics/US History Monday Dec 15: Make-Up Spring 2015 *Tentative April 30 – May 8, 2015 Spring Mid-Month * Tentative January 20-30, 2015 February 9-20, 2015 March 2-13, 2015 Summer 2015 *Tentative June 15 through July 17, 2015 Spring 2015 * Tentative April 16 – 28, 2014 Note: There will be no Retest Administration for the 2014 – 2015 School Year. Structure  Paper/Pencil and online administration modes available for all content  For paper/pencil administrations an individual test booklet will be provided for each of the 8 EOCs  * Section 3 will assess writing through an extended constructed-response  Paper/Pencil and online administration modes available for all content  For paper/pencil administration there will be one test booklet by grade containing all 4 EOG content areas  * Section 3 will assess writing through an extended constructed-response Order Determined by School DistrictEnglish Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies ContentSectionsMinutes Per Section Ninth and American Literature and Composition3*3* 70 Coordinate Algebra and Analytical Geometry270 Biology and Physical Science270 United States History and Economics270 ContentSectionsMinutes per Section English Language Arts3*3* 70 Mathematics270 Science270 Social Studies270

4. GEORGIA MILESTONES: UNIQUE FEATURES Features include:  inclusion of constructed-response items in ELA and mathematics, in addition to selected- response items  inclusion of a writing component (in response to text) at every grade level and course within the ELA assessment;  inclusion of norm-referenced items in every grade and content area to complement the criterion-referenced information and to provide a national comparison; and  transition to online administration over time, with online administration considered the primary mode of administration and paper-pencil back-up until transition is completed.  Year 1: minimum of 30% online across the district, grades 3-12  Year 3: minimum of 80% online across the district, grades 3-12  Year 5: minimum of 100% online across the district, grades 3-12

5. GRADING  The applicable provisions of State Board Rule 160-4-2-.13 (Statewide Passing Score) and 160-4-2-.11 (Promotion, Placement and Retention) were waived by the State Board of Education for the 2014-2015 school year.  HCS has developed local policies and procedures for calculation of final course grades in EOC courses through the Summer Semester of 2015 (July 31, 2015) as well as promotion and retention policy for Grades 3, 5 and 8.  It is important that students know that they WILL RECEIVE SCORES. Individual score reports and electronic results (that will be loaded to your local system’s Student Information System and the SLDS). In short, their scores – once produced – will become part of their school/test record and history.  The test itself has NOT been “waived” for 2014-2015... Only its role as the final exam and/or its role in promotion and retention.  Additional guidance regarding other purposes and uses of the end of course assessments, such as “test-outs”, retests, etc., will be forthcoming for the 2014-2015 school year.  In future years, the Georgia Milestones EOC will contribute 20% to the student’s final course grade.

6. SCORES AND REPORTING  Score reports will be available in Fall of 2015.  Produced at the student, class, district, and state levels.  Provide students’ criterion-referenced proficiency designations for each test.  Provide domains scores.  NRT scores will be presented as national percentile ranks.  Only the criterion-referenced proficiency designations will be used in the educator effectiveness measures and for state and federal accountability.  Once scores are released, they will provide baseline data for these new assessments.

7. ONLINE TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR ALL STUDENTS Blocking Tool Highlighter Eraser Magnifying Glass Mark for Review Online Calculator – if allowable Option Eliminator Scratch Pad – Blank scratch paper (including notebook paper) will be provided to students taking the following EOCs regardless of administration mode: 9 th Grade Lit & American Lit: Section 3 only Coordinate Algebra & Analytic Geometry Physical Science & Economics These tools are available to all students who test online and are therefore NOT considered accommodations.

8. CALCULATOR POLICY 8 1 Basic four-function calculator with square root and percentage functions. 2 Graphing calculator with functionalities consistent with TI-84 or similar models. Calculators are not permitted on certain designated sections of each mathematics test. In 2014-2015, students who test online may use a hand-held calculator, in addition to the calculator provided online. Content AreaGrade Level/CourseType of Calculator Mathematics Grades 3 – 5 EOGNot Allowed Grade 6 EOGBasic 1 Grades 7 – 8 EOGScientific or Basic 1 Coordinate Algebra EOCGraphing 2 or Scientific Analytic Geometry EOCGraphing 2 or Scientific Science Physical Science EOCScientific or Basic 1 Social StudiesEconomics EOCScientific or Basic 1

9. PREPARING OUR STUDENTS  Who will test online?  30% of tested grades in EACH school will be tested online.  Grades 4 and 7 will test all EOG content areas online  Students taking the EOC will vary between paper/pencil and online test administrations.  Students assigned Oral Reading of reading passages and oral reading of test questions must participate in the online administration using the Screen-Reader. This will standardize the accommodation and replace the oral reading of test content by the Test Examiner.  Available Resources  Content Standards  Sample Items from GOAS and GOFAR  Released items via PARCC, NAEP, and other states (KY, NY)  Parent’s Guide to Georgia’s New Assessment developed by the National PTA http://www.pta.org/advocacy/content.cfm?ItemNumber=3816http://www.pta.org/advocacy/content.cfm?ItemNumber=3816  Experience Online Testing Georgia : http://learnoas.ctb.com/GA/http://learnoas.ctb.com/GA/  Provides exposure to the online platform  GaDOE Introduction to Georgia Milestones (Video): http://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Assessment/Pages/Georgia- Milestones-Assessment-System.aspxhttp://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Assessment/Pages/Georgia- Milestones-Assessment-System.aspx

10. ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS

11. GEORGIA MILESTONES General Test Parameters ELA will consists of 3 sections, 1 of which will focus mainly on writing Mathematics will consist of 2 sections Science will consist of 2 sections Social Studies will consist of 2 sections Each section will be approximately 70 minutes.

12. GEORGIA MILESTONES General Test Parameters: ELA Criterion-Referenced Total Number of Items: 44 / Total Number of Points: 55 Breakdown by Item Type:  40 Selected Response (worth 1 point each; 10 of which are aligned NRT )  2 Constructed Response (2 points each)  1 Constructed Response (worth 4 points )  1 Extended Response (worth 7 points) Norm-Referenced  Total Number of Items: 20 (10 of which contribute to CR score) Embedded Field Test  Total field test items: 6 Total number of items taken by each student: 60

13. GEORGIA MILESTONES Writing at Every Grade – All students will encounter a constructed-response item allowing for narrative prose, in response to text, within first or second section of the test. – Within the writing section of the test, students will read a pair of passages and complete a series of “warm-up” items: o 3 selected-response items asking about the salient features of each passage and comparing/contrasting between the two passages o 1 constructed-response item requiring linking the two passages o 1 writing prompt in which students must cite evidence to support their conclusions, claims, etc. Genres Writing prompts will be informative/expl anatory or opinion/argume ntative depending on the grade level. Students could encounter either genre. Warning: Students who simply rewrite excerpts from the passage(s) to illustrate their point(s) will not receive favorable scores.

14. For the 2014-2015 school year, the Office of English/Language Arts has made close reading, text dependent questions, and writing from sources the focus of our district-wide efforts. Performance Goal Statements: The coordinator will do the following: The ELA coordinator will compile grade level competencies with appropriate performance indicators for students in grades K-12. The ELA coordinator will offer grade band (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12) professional development on close reading and text based questions and answers. The ELA coordinator will support the implementation of the Georgia Milestones assessment system in the area of ELA through targeted optional professional development.

16. District Wide Literacy Efforts- Elementary Focus District Wide ELA Professional Learning (July 30, August 1, August 29, September 02, November 04) East Lake and Mt. Carmel Elementary Schools (8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) ES Curriculum Empowerment Sessions Occur Bi-Monthly at Mercer Henry After School ES Specific Workshops Occur Monthly focused on the Fountas and Pinnell Reading Approach ELA Coordinator Specific Professional Development has occurred at all but two district ES focused on Georgia Milestones

17. District Wide Literacy Efforts- Secondary Focus (Middle and High School) District Wide ELA Professional Learning Days Monthly Department Chair Meetings District ELA Support Team Launching Monthly Professional Development for Teaches Afterschool Online Options for Professional Development

18. Middle School Literacy Support Ola Middle School August 6 Blended Learning/Edmodo Support Hampton Middle School September 4 Grade Level Presentation: Marking Literacy Milestones Locust Grove Middle School August 18 PBL Support Henry County Middle School August 6, August 15, September 9 School Literacy Support with LILT and AP ELA Cycle of Support

19. High School Literacy Support Eagle’s Landing High School August 12 Grade Level Presentation: Marking Literacy Milestones Locust Grove High School August 18 PBL Support Stockbridge High School August 21 Resource Alignment Hampton High School August 25 Teacher Observations/Support Dutchtown High School August 26 Department Presentation: Marking Literacy Milestones Patrick Henry High School September 16 Department Presentation: Marking Literacy Milestones Eagle’s Landing High School September 17 Personalizing Learning in the ELA Classroom Dutchtown High School September 29 Department Presentation: Formative Assessment in the ELA Classroom Woodland High School October 2 School Wide Presentation: Close Reading

20. MATHEMATICS

21. GEORGIA MILESTONES General Test Parameters: Mathematics Criterion-Referenced Total Number of Items: 53 / Total Number of Points: 58 Breakdown by Item Type:  50 Selected Response (worth 1 point each; 10 of which are aligned NRT)  2 Constructed Response (worth 2 points each)  1 Constructed Response (worth 4 points) Norm-Referenced  Total Number of Items: 20 (10 of which contribute to CR score) Embedded Field Test  Total field test items: 10 Total number of items taken by each student: 73

22. GEORGIA MILESTONES: UNIQUE FEATURES Blended: Criterion-Referenced and Norm-Referenced Georgia Milestones will provide:  criterion-referenced performance information in the form of four performance levels, depicting students’ mastery of state standards  norm-referenced performance information in the form of national percentiles, depicting how students’ achievement compares to peers nationally Note: To provide norm-referenced information, some norm-referenced items may not align to Georgia’s content standards. Only aligned NRT items will contribute to proficiency designations.

23. 2014-2015 District Math Priorities  Patient Problem Solving in all mathematics lessons  Using data from frequent, formative assessments to monitor student progress  Supporting struggling learners through Multi-Tier Support System (MTSS)  Providing opportunities for students to be innovative with technology tools in mathematics lessons  Increasing the rigor on assessments, including more constructed response items on classroom-level assessments with the expectation for students to justify their reasoning and communicate their mathematical thinking in multiple ways

24. How have teachers been informed of the changes in state assessment?  All mathematics teacher leaders and classroom teachers across the district have engaged in professional learning on the new format and expectations of the Georgia Milestones Assessment System.  This shift in assessment is in alignment with the changes mathematics classrooms have been undergoing over the last several years. This is now creating an opportunity for the state assessment to align with classroom practices.

25. District Wide Professional Learning Efforts- Mathematics District Wide Mathematics Professional Learning (multiple days throughout the school year) * These are conference-style PL days that have each included. Bi-Monthly Curriculum Empowerment Sessions (twice each month on Fridays) * These sessions include math leaders from elementary, middle, and high schools. The Mathematics Coordinator has provided specific professional learning to individual schools and has visited schools in the district monitoring the implementation of district expectations and instructional strategies in preparation for the Georgia Milestones Assessment.

26. District Wide Support from Office of Mathematics District Mathematics Coordinator Our district mathematics coordinator has provided professional learning to all math leaders and principals on the new Georgia Milestones Assessment System. She is very visible in schools and has fostered a culture of support to help principals and teachers understand the shifts happening in curriculum, instruction, and assessment. District Mathematics Support Team The District Mathematics Support Team continually offers another level of support to teachers and schools by offering targeted professional learning sessions after school for teachers. District Mathematics Assessment Team The District Mathematics Assessment Team has developed and organized benchmark assessment item banks for teachers over the last three years that include higher order thinking items in preparation for the new Georgia Milestones Assessment System.

27. SAMPLE GRADE 5 EXTENDED RESPONSE ITEM HIGHER ORDER THINKING QUESTIONS 5.G.3

28. RUBRIC ScoreDescription 4The student successfully completes all parts of the item by understanding that attributes belonging to a category of two-dimensional figures also belong to all subcategories of that category (5.G.3). 3The student demonstrates clear understanding of the standards listed above by correctly answering all parts of the task, but the explanation or work shown for one part is weak or incomplete Or The student answers all parts with correct explanation or work shown, but makes one minor calculation error or omission Or The student answers three parts correctly with explanation or work shown. 2The student demonstrates a basic understanding of the standards listed by answering two parts correctly with explanation or work shown Or The student answers three or four parts correctly without explanation or work shown. 1The student demonstrates minimal understanding of the standards listed by answering one or two parts correctly without explanation or work shown. 0The response is incorrect or irrelevant to the skill or concept being measured.