League Academy

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WELCOME!

• League Academy
• Parent Workshop 1
• How can I help my child
• on the PACT test?

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PACTPalmetto Achievement Challenge Test

• How Can I Help My Child On PACT?

Dates April 29- May 3, 2002
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Why Test?

• Tests are a part of life. They are useful for
  measuring our skills, our knowledge and our
  attainment of standards.
• In today's society, there's a lot of testing. If
  you want a driver's license, there's a written
  test and a driving test. To get a job, you often
  have to take a test.

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Students in South Carolina Take a Variety of
Tests

• PACT (Palmetto Achievement Challenge Tests)
• BSAP Exit Exam (SC Basic Skills Assessment
  Program)
• MAT-7 (Metropolitan Achievement Tests)
• NAEP (National Assessment of Educational
  Progress)
• School district tests
• Classroom tests
• Tests to get into college or the military

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What Have We Learned From These Tests and
Comparisons?

• 1. Students in South Carolina must do better on
  the tests they take.
• 2. The standards for our state tests are too low.
  According to the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation,
  our state standards are ranked third in the
  nation. Since the PACT test is relatively new,
  it will take time for us to reach these
  standards!
• As a state, we must raise standards and
  better prepare our students to meet them, so they
  will be ready for work and college.

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South Carolina is committed to new, higher
standards in all subjects, including the
subjects of Mathematics, Reading/English
Language Arts, Science and Social Studies
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Parent Questions about PACT

• Why was PACT developed?
• Who designed PACT?
• What type of questions are on the test?
• Are all students required to take the test?
• How will my child be prepared to take this test
  and do well?

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Parent Questions about PACT

• How will the test be scored to be sure it is
  fair?
• Will I be informed of my childs test results?
  What kind of information will the results of the
  test tell me about my child?
• When will the PACT test be given and in what
  grades will it be administered?

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• Students
• Always be prepared for class by doing your
  homework and having the required materials.
• Ask questions when you do not understand
  something.
• Review your notes from class at home each
  evening when the material is still fresh in your
  mind.
• Take higher-level courses to challenge yourself
  to your fullest potential.
• Review the sample test questions for your grade
  level.

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• Parents
• Read to and with your child.
• Make sure your child sees you reading.
• Make sure your child attends school regularly.
• Maintain regular communication with your childs
  teachers.
• Monitor your childs homework and progress in
  school. Provide a quiet, comfortable place for
  studying at home.
• Become an active member in your childs
  parent-teacher organization.
• Make sure your child gets plenty of rest and has
  a well-rounded diet.

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• Teachers
• Continue to become familiar with the frameworks
  and standards as you incorporate them into your
  daily lesson plans.
• Explain the testing program to your students and
  their parents.
• Use Essential Questions as a way of communicating
  in kid language what students must know for
  PACT.
• Encourage students to ask questions.
• Review school wide test results to strengthen
  weaknesses.

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BSAP and PACT Comparison
Grade 6 At a clearance sale, the price of a VCR
was discounted 40. The discount price was 375.
What was the original price? Explain how you
solved this problem. Answer 625 with
explanation.

• Grade 6
• 60 of _________ 375
• A. 225 B. 250
• C. 625 answer D. 937.5

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BSAP and PACT Comparison
The picture below shows the same amount of sugar
in two different forms.

sugar cube loose sugar When
sugar dissolves in water, is a physical or a
chemical change taking place? Explain your
answer. Design an experiment to determine which
form of sugar would dissolve faster. Be sure to
list all the materials you will use and the steps
of your procedure. Answer 1. physical change
with an explanation
2. experiment designed

• Grade 8
• A sugar cube dissolving in water is an example
  of
• A. a physical change. answer
• B. a chemical change.
• C. an atomic change.
• D. a kinetic change.

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Grade 6 Math Test Information
Type of Item Type of Item Number of Items Value Total Points
Multiple Choice Multiple Choice 49 1 49
Open Ended Open Ended Less than 16 1-4 16
Strand Name Name Emphasis Emphasis
I Number and Numeration Systems Number and Numeration Systems 21 21
II Numerical and Algebraic Concepts/ Operations Numerical and Algebraic Concepts/ Operations 18 18
III Patterns, Relationships and Functions Patterns, Relationships and Functions 15 15
IV Geometry and Spatial Sense Geometry and Spatial Sense 22 22
V Measurement Measurement 12 12
VI Probability and Statistics Probability and Statistics 12 12
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Grade 6 ELA Test Information
Type of Item Type of Item Number of Items Value Total Points
Multiple Choice Multiple Choice 49 1 49
Open Ended Response Open Ended Response Less than 16 1-4 16
Extended Response Extended Response 2 15 30
Strand Approximate Percentage of Test Item Points Approximate Percentage of Test Item Points Approximate Percentage of Test Item Points Approximate Percentage of Test Item Points
Reading 45 45 45 45
Writing 40 40 40 40
Listening 10 10 10 10
Research 5 5 5 5
Speaking 0 0 0 0
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Grade 7 Math Test Information
Type of Item Type of Item Number of Items Value Total Points
Multiple Choice Multiple Choice 49 1 49
Open Ended Open Ended Less than 16 1-5 16
Strand Name Name Emphasis Emphasis
I Number and Numeration Systems Number and Numeration Systems 10 10
II Numerical and Algebraic Concepts/ Operations Numerical and Algebraic Concepts/ Operations 20 20
III Patterns, Relationships and Functions Patterns, Relationships and Functions 20 20
IV Geometry and Spatial Sense Geometry and Spatial Sense 16 16
V Measurement Measurement 14 14
VI Probability and Statistics Probability and Statistics 20 20
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Grade 7 ELA Test Information
Type of Item Type of Item Number of Items Value Total Points
Multiple Choice Multiple Choice 49 1 49
Open Ended Response Open Ended Response Less than 16 1-4 16
Extended Response Extended Response 2 15 30
Strand Approximate Percentage of Test Item Points Approximate Percentage of Test Item Points Approximate Percentage of Test Item Points Approximate Percentage of Test Item Points
Reading 45 45 45 45
Writing 40 40 40 40
Listening 10 10 10 10
Research 5 5 5 5
Speaking 0 0 0 0
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Grade 8 Math Test Information
Type of Item Type of Item Number of Items Value Total Points
Multiple Choice Multiple Choice 60 1 60
Open Ended Open Ended Less than 20 1-5 20
Strand Name Name Emphasis Emphasis
I Number and Numeration Systems Number and Numeration Systems 10 10
II Numerical and Algebraic Concepts/ Operations Numerical and Algebraic Concepts/ Operations 20 20
III Patterns, Relationships and Functions Patterns, Relationships and Functions 20 20
IV Geometry and Spatial Sense Geometry and Spatial Sense 16 16
V Measurement Measurement 14 14
VI Probability and Statistics Probability and Statistics 20 20
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Grade 8 ELA Test Information
Type of Item Type of Item Number of Items Value Total Points
Multiple Choice Multiple Choice 60 1 60
Open Ended Response Open Ended Response Less than 20 1-4 20
Extended Response Extended Response 2 15 30
Strand Approximate Percentage of Test Item Points Approximate Percentage of Test Item Points Approximate Percentage of Test Item Points Approximate Percentage of Test Item Points
Reading 45 45 45 45
Writing 40 40 40 40
Listening 10 10 10 10
Research 5 5 5 5
Speaking 0 0 0 0
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Lets Take a Look at PACT Mini-Tests

• PACT mini-tests are provided by the SC State
  Department of Education for parents, students and
  teachers to become familiar with the type of
  questions used in this test.

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Thank you for coming!

• League Academy
• Parent Workshop 1

PACT Test Dates -April 29-May 3, 2002 Web
Resources http//www.sde.state.sc.us
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NEXT MONTH

• League Academy
• Parent Workshop 2
• Next February 26, 2002
• How to Live with an Adolescent!?