1. Please sign in on the blue sheet located at the front of the room.

2.  What do I need to know to help my child(ren) succeed on the CRCT?

3.  CRCT (Criterion-based Competency Tests): These tests were created by the state of Georgia. They are based on the state’s GPS (Georgia Performance Standards) and are used to measure how well your child has learned the material covered in the GPS. This information is used to diagnose individual student strengths and weaknesses.

4. Used in three types of accountability:  1) Federal funding/Title 1/No Child Left Behind  2) School Performance Standards  Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)  School Report Cards  3) Promotion and Retention

5.  Third grade is a benchmark year for students taking the CRCT. Students in third grade MUST pass the Reading section of the CRCT.  CRCT reports student achievement in terms of performance levels:  Exceeds The Standard (850-950)  Meets The Standard (800-849)  Does Not Meet The Standard (650-799)  3rd grade students MUST earn a score of 800 on the Reading portion of the CRCT.

6.  Tuesday, April 19 – Reading  Wednesday, April 20 – English/Language Arts  Thursday, April 21 – Mathematics  Tuesday, April 26 – Science  Wednesday, April 27 – Social Studies

7.  There are two tests daily in one subject area.  Each test lasts a minimum of 45 minutes but students can have up to 70 minutes if needed.  There is a break of approximately 10 minutes between tests.  Testing begins each morning by 9:00.  If a student is absent during testing he/she must make up the missed section before the end of the testing window.

8.  All sections of the CRCT are in multiple choice format with 4 possible answers.  All sections are read independently by the students.  Students may underline, circle, etc. in the book, but answers MUST go in the proper place on the ANSWER document.  Once a student has begun a section, he/she must complete it during that testing session.

9. Content AreaNumber of Questions Reading 50 English/Language Arts 60 Math 70 Science 70 Social Studies 70

10.  The CRCT Content Descriptions are basically a summary of what will be on the test.  The GPS in each subject area are grouped into content domains.  Each domain is comprised of standards with similar content characteristics.

11.  Reading:  Literary Comprehension  Reading for Information  Reading Skills and Vocabulary Acquisition  Mathematics:  Number and Operations  Measurement  Geometry  Algebra  Data Analysis and Probability  English/Language Arts:  Grammar and Sentence Construction  Research and Writing Process  Science:  Earth Science  Life Science  Physical Science  Social Studies:  History  Geography  Government/Civics  Economics

12. Sub. AreaDomain Percentage Number of Questions Reading Literary Comprehension60%24 Reading for Information20%8 Reading Skills & Vocabulary Acquisition20%8 ELA Grammar and Sentence Construction60%30 Research and Writing Process40%20 Math Number and Operations50%30 Measurement18%11 Geometry12%7 Algebra10%6 Data Analysis and Probability10%6

13. Sub. AreaDomainPercentage Number of Questions Science Earth Science 34%20 Life Science 33%20 Physical Science 33%20 Social Studies History 30%18 Geography 20%12 Civic/Government 30%18 Economics 20%12

16.  Study the and review the content descriptions for each subject area with your child.  Talk daily with your child about the work he/she is completing in the classroom and the work assigned for homework/study. Make sure homework is completed correctly.  Make sure your child is reading independently every day.  Read with your child and discuss what you have read.  Make sure your child is practicing addition/subtraction and multiplication/division facts daily.  Make sure your child is practicing sight words daily.  Set goals for improvement with your child.

17.  Ensure students get a good night’s sleep. 9 hours a night is recommended.  Eat breakfast every morning (home or school).  Arrive at school on time. Please do not schedule morning doctor appointments during testing time. If your child is truly sick, do not send them to school. There will be makeup days available.

18.  Wear comfortable clothing.  Encourage your child to do their best on the test and to use their time wisely.  Stay calm and positive (children pick up on our stress). Let your child know you are proud  Ensure students have everything they need (eyeglasses, medication.)

19.  Handouts:  PowerPoint Presentation  CRCT Content Descriptions for each subject area  Grade 3 CRCT Study Guide for each subject area  Testing Tips Packet  Test Ready Books (Reading and Math)  Online:  Georgia Performance Standards www.georgiastandards.orgwww.georgiastandards.org  Georgia Online Assessment System (Georgia OAS) www.georgiaoas.org www.georgiaoas.org  E-Harcourt School www.eharcourtschool.comwww.eharcourtschool.com  I-Learn Math http://www.ilearn.com/1011/http://www.ilearn.com/1011/  ThinkFast Math http://www.ilearn.com/tf1011/http://www.ilearn.com/tf1011/  www.readwritethink.org/student_mat/index.asp www.readwritethink.org/student_mat/index.asp

20. 1. If your child is nervous about the exam, you should: A. Tell your child to give up. B. Tell your child that he/she will probably fail. C. Tell your child that it’s normal to feel nervous. D. Don’t say anything at all.

21. 2. The night before the test, you should: A. Let your child stay up late and watch movie. B. Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep. C. Worry that your child’s going to fail. D. Feed him/her cola and chips.

22. 3. The morning of the exam, you should make sure your child A. Has his/her baby blanket for comfort. B. Sleeps in late to get extra rest. C. Gets to school on time. D. Has a good nutritious breakfast. E. C & D

23. 4. On the day of the test, make sure your child: A. Wears his/her fanciest outfit to look nice. B. Leaves his/her glasses at home. C. Brings some toys to play with if he/she gets bored. D. Wears comfortable clothes.

24. 5. The day of the test, you should say to your child: A. “Do your best!” B. “You better get them all right or I’ll take away your Game boy.” C. “It’s not important so don’t worry about it.” D. “I love you! Have a great day!” E. A & D

25. Read all the street signs that you pass And the house numbers by the door And all the license plates on cars And there is so much more. There are many words on buildings And trucks and cars you meet There are billboards standing tall And shops on every street. Then when at last you do return And you sit down together Please take this opportunity to read A book about whatever. Being a parents is very special As a teacher you are special, too Just take the time to make learning fun And your child will love what you do. All of you are parents But you’re also teachers, too And if you want to help your child I’ll tell you what to do. Whenever you’re in the kitchen Let your child be your helping hands And show them all the labels And let them read the brands. Say beginning and ending sounds And find some things that rhyme And they will quickly learn to read In a short amount of time. Let your child help you measure The butter, eggs, and flour And let them help you set the timer For thirty minutes or an hour. Then, when you have to leave the house In your car or for a walk Don’t forget this is another time To teach and learn and talk.