Standardized Testing

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Standardized Testing

• Why do we need to take these tests?

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Required By Law

• NCLB Federal Level
• Department of Education State Level

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Pennsylvania Department of Education decided All

• 501 School Districts in Pennsylvania
• Grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11 must take the PSSA
  (Math Reading)

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Why would the Government want us to take Math
Reading Tests?

• To make sure all of the schools and school
  districts are teaching their students specific
  information to a specific level.

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Are all teachers and all schools the same?

• Answer No
• The State Government realizes this and decided
  they needed to set a specific level all students
  needed to meet.

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How is this accomplished?

• Standardized Testing
• All students take the same tests across all (501)
  districts
• During the same time (March 12 -23)
• This type of testing allows the Department of
  Education to evaluate all schools equally

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What Performance level do I need to reach?

• Students must reach the level of Proficient in
  both Math Reading
• Performance Levels
• 1. Advanced
• 2. Proficient
• 3. Basic
• 4. Below Basic

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Advanced?

• Yes, there is a performance level which is for
  students who are Advanced for their grade level.
• This means the test will have a few questions
  which are above grade level.
• Dont get frustrated when you hit one of these
  tougher questions.

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ProficientWhat happens if you do not reach the
proficient performance level?

• It could be determined you need remediation in
  one of the two courses.
• Additional Courses
• Math Courses
• Reading Courses

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When would I take these remediation courses?

• -Possibly during electives-
• This could Limit the choices you have when
  selecting the courses you want to take.
• Approach the PSSA the same way you approach
  4Sight Testing.
• Try to Test-Out by doing well.

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Why would the district make a remediation course
mandatory?

• The District Must Follow the State Federal
  Requirements
• Remember The tests results are used to evaluate
  the school system, as well as individual
  students.
• The results help the school make decisions
  regarding
• Instructional Programs (what courses are offered)
• Individual Student Placement (what courses you
  will take)

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How do you reach different performance levels?

• You are scored based on how well you know the
  material.
• Your performance level is not based on how you
  compare to other students in the building.
• You must get a specific number of questions
  correct to reach the Proficient Level.

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What Should You Do?
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• Strategies for Taking Standardized Tests

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The night Before Testing

• Go to bed on time.
• Talk to your parents about any concerns that you
  might have about the test.

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The Morning of Testing

• Start your day as you always do.
• Eat a good breakfast.
• Think Positive!
• Approach the testing with a positive attitude.
  Confidence is the Key.

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Multiple Choice Questions

• Read the question and ALL answer choices before
  marking anything.
• Some answers may be very similar to the correct
  answer.
• Be Careful!

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Example of Multiple Choice Type Answers

• The correct answer is (X is less than 5)
• X gt 7
• X lt 8
• X gt 5
• X lt 5

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The Process of Elimination

• Eliminate choices that you know are incorrect.
• 50/50 Educated Guess

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Answering Questions

• Don't guess blindly. The test is not timed and
  you will have time to think about the best answer
  choice.
• We all work at different paces.
• Extended Testing time will be available if needed.

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Key Words

• Find key words or phrases in the question that
  will help you choose the correct answer.
• Beware of words like often, sometimes, and
  always.
• (Even wrong answers may be partially true)

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Are we communicating?

• Make sure you understand... what the question is
  asking
• Be sure you are responding to the question that
  is being asked

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Reading Passages

• If the test requires you to read passages and
  then answer questions about what you read

Read the Questions First!

• By doing this, you will know what you are looking
  for as you read.

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Open-Ended Questions

• 20 25 of your score will come from the
  open-ended questions.
• If you do not take your time and work hard on
  these questions you are losing the opportunity to
  gain valuable points.
• Each (OE) reading question is worth the same as
  three (3) multiple choice questions.
• Each (OE) math question is worth the same as four
  (4) multiple choice questions.

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Open-Ended Reading Questions (Strategies)

• Read the Prompt before reading the passage
• Use the CUCC method to help understand the
  question which needs to be answered
• Remember you can go back to the passage while
  writing your answer
• Write about ¾ of a page
• Answer the question which is being asked
• Use details from the passage to support your
  answer

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Reading Passages

• When there are several questions about a reading
  passage or chart, look for clues in other
  questions.
• Sometimes other questions will help you with
  questions you are unsure about.

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Math Computation

• When using scratch paper on a math test, double
  check to make sure that you have copied the
  problem correctly from the test booklet!
• 2.15 21.5
• x 3.14
  x 3.13

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Math Computation

• Line up place values correctly on your scratch
  paper (thousands, hundreds, tens, ones) or the
  answer will be incorrect.
• Multiple Choice answers may be similar to answers
  you produce through simple common errors.
• Be Careful Dont Rush!
• Show us What you Know!

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Math Computation

• If your answer does not match one of the choices,
  Dont Guess, reread the problem, recopy the
  numbers, and try solving it again.

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Check Your Work

• As you go back through, do not change all the
  answers.
• Remember Your first answer is usually right.

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Its About Time

• Dont spend too much time rewriting or obsessing
  about neatness.
• BUT..

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Make Sure You

• Fill in bubbles fully and erase stray marks.
• Double-check the question number in your test
  booklet against the answer sheet every five
  questions to be sure you havent gotten on the
  wrong number.

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The Death Grip

• If your arm tires during testing it is probably
  due to the grip that you have on your pencil.
• Relax the grip and give those muscles a break.
• Do not do arm exercises during testing as this
  disturbs others.

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Advanced vs. Proficient

• Remember it's okay NOT to know everything
  unlike most class tests, these tests will have a
  few questions designed to challenge the limits of
  your knowledge. A few questions may be at a
  grade level above your current grade.
• Stay Positive when you encounter a difficult
  question.

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Do your best

• Your efforts will pay off for YOU in the future.
• The Courses You are Required to Take
• The Overall School Program You can experience

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Be Serious Confident Strategic

• Show us what you know!