Good Evening! Suwanee Elementary March 3, 2016 Parent Outreach.: TODAY’S AGENDA :. o Overview of the Georgia Milestones Test o What you can do at home to help

GMAS will have multiple choice questions and …

…and constructed responses.

Georgia Milestones Georgia Milestones is primarily a criterion-referenced test, reflecting the content standards for each grade and course. However, it is a more rigorous assessment. Some new features include: The test includes both selected response (multiple choice) and constructed responses (short written responses and short essays). Some selected response items will require students to identify ALL of the correct answers as opposed to just one answer. Students will also be asked to find and cite evidence in the text or passages (According to the text…; The author states….; In paragraph one…). Some items will require students to answer and write responses using information/evidence from two passages.

Georgia Milestones GMAS Georgia Milestone Assessment System More questions that require application of knowledge (Depth of Knowledge greater) Selected Response (majority of test) (Multiple Choice) More than one correct answer on some items 3-6 Constructed Response Short Answer 1 Extended Response Short Essay (cite evidence from text) Nationally Referenced Items (20 per subject) (10 aligned with Georgia and will count; 10 not aligned with Georgia and will not count) Online testing

Constructed Response Constructed response is a general term for items that require the student to generate a response as opposed to selecting a response. Constructed response items require more elaborate answers and explanations of reasoning. They allow for multiple correct answers and/or varying methods of arriving at the correct answer. Examples of skills required on constructed response tasks include, but are not limited to: English Language Arts – Utilize close analytic reading – Compare and contrast ideas and themes – Synthesize ideas and concepts across a single or multiple texts Mathematics – Apply mathematical procedures and skills to real world problems – Express mathematical reasoning by showing work or explaining an answer

ELA Sample – GR 3 Passage For this item, the students are asked to read a poem entitled, “Healthy Cookies.” The poem is about a girl whose mom purchased a healthy cookie snack in an attempt to replace the daughter’s preferred sugary cookie. The daughter was initially reluctant to try the healthy cookie, but eventually tasted the new cookie and decided it wasn’t that bad.

Please read the selection below and then answer the questions that follow. Healthy cookies Mom bought healthy cookies. It says so on the box. Does she think I’m going to fall for that, Like my head is full of rocks? Mom bought healthy cookies, And I won’t touch those things. I want my Choco-Wonder-Treats And goo-filled Tasty Rings. Mom bought healthy cookies. She says it’s them or fruit. I say, “That’s a rotten choice! I’d rather eat tree roots!” Vitamins and fiber, with no sugar to be found I bet these cookies taste like dirt scraped right up off the ground! Mom bought healthy cookies, And now it’s after school. I need a snack or I will starve. How can she be so cruel? Mom bought healthy cookies. Oh, poor, poor, hungry me! I’m going to have to sneak some out When she’s not there to see. Mom bought healthy cookies, And worse, they’re not half bad. I’ll have to use my secret weapon. I like to call him “Dad.” Low fat and no preservatives – how can that be good? If Mom buys other healthy snacks, I bet they’ll taste like wood! “Mom bought healthy cookies!” I say when Dad walks in. “If we admit to liking them, She’ll buy those things again!” “Mom bought healthy cookies?” Dad asks, while looking grim. “Oh no! You might grow up to be Athletic, fit, and slim!” Mom bought healthy cookies, And Dad is just no help. What’s next, cake with lima beans, Or ice cream made from kelp? 1 Mom bought healthy cookies. I guess that’s not so bad. And now we’ve learned to say goodbye To junk food we once had. 1 kelp—a brown seaweed

ELA Task Standards: ELACC3RL1, ELACC3W2, ELACC3L1 and ELACC3L2 Explain why the speaker believes that the healthy cookies will taste bad. Write your explanation in a paragraph that includes many supporting details from the text. Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.

4 point Response Passage & Question

Math Sample Set – GR 3 Standard to be Assessed MCC.3.NF.3.d: Compare two fractions with the same numerator or the same denominator by reasoning about the size. Recognize that comparisons are valid only when the two fractions refer to the same whole. Record the results of comparisons with the symbols >, =, or <, and justify the conclusions, e.g., by using visual fraction model.

Mathematics Task MCC.3.NF.3d Think carefully about the following question. Write a complete answer. You may use drawings, words, and numbers to explain your answer. Be sure to show all of your work. José ate ½ of a pizza. Ella ate ½ of another pizza. José said that he ate more pizza than Ella, but Ella said they both ate the same amount. Use words and pictures to show that José could be right.

Performance Levels Standards for proficiency are HIGHER. As with any new assessment, scores may be lower initially until students become more familiar with test format and higher expectations. Distinguished Learner - “exceeds” Proficient Learner – “meets” Developing Learner – “does not meet” Beginning Learner – “does not meet”

Listen and pay attention in class Ask questions in class Ask teacher for help Complete homework Read often to build stamina Write in complete sentences Review EOG (End of Grade) Assessment Guide What can your child do?

What can parents do? Help students throughout the year by communicating the importance of learning during the year. Review student work throughout the year. Encourage students to READ, READ, READ. Communicate with teachers throughout the year. Review GMAS info and-Assessment/Assessment/Pages/EOG- Study-Resource-Guides.aspx and-Assessment/Assessment/Pages/EOG- Study-Resource-Guides.aspx

Assessment/Assessment/Pages/Georgia-Milestones- Assessment-System.aspx

Milestones-End-of-Grade-Assessment-Guides.aspx

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. More information will be released soon from the Ga. DOE. Questions… ….