Standardized Testing and 2016 EOG Milestones Results Whitney Shook, Administrative Assistant (Former Assistant Principal & Testing Coordinator)

Standardized Tests at HFE GKIDS – Kindergarten - State Basic skills test STAR Reading – K-5 - County Inform reading instruction and determine student reading skills STAR Math – 1-5 - County ITBS – 3, 5 – Nation Norm-referenced Changing this year for first time since 1995 (IOWAS) EOG Milestones – 3, 4, 5 - State

What is a STANDARDIZED Test? Any test in which the same test is given in the same manner to all test takers, is a standardized test. Standardized tests are perceived as being fairer than non-standardized tests, because everyone gets the same test and the same grading system. The consistency also permits a more reliable comparison of outcomes across all test takers, because everyone is taking the same test.

How Have Standardized Tests Changed? Tests are matching what we now require of students in the classroom. Example Multiple steps Require critical thinking Problem solving Writing/typing SHOW EXAMPLE

Georgia Milestones Online Testing 2015-2016 School Year: -All 4th & 5th grade students -50% participation required -Eventually all students will be required to take online IOWAS 2016 – October -Online - NEW

Uses of Georgia Milestones Communicates student achievement and this year growth One factor in 6th grade class placement Grade promotion (grades 3, 5, and 8) 2015-2016 school year results (waived) Grade 3 – reading (on or above) Grade 5 – reading and math (Level 2 or above)

Achievement vs. Growth Achievement Growth How well students are meeting state expectations Snapshot look at student performance Growth How students are progressing from year to year Takes students’ starting points into consideration 2015-2016 was baseline year

Types of Scores Scale Scores Range varies depending on grade level and content area Achievement Levels Achievement Level Cuts Developing Learner: 475 (Level 2) Proficient Learner: 525 (Level 3) Distinguished Learner: varies from 555 to 610 (Level 4) Domain Signals W Scale score ties to level Below 475 is Beginning Learner

Norm-Referenced Scores Supplemental Information: National Percentile Rank (NPR) NPR Range Remember: A sample of norm-referenced items were administered Norm-referenced Testing (NRT) data should be utilized as an indicator or barometer of student performance relative to their peers nationally. NPRs from Georgia Milestones may not be used for gifted program identification.

HFE Scores Developing & Proficient Level (2, 3, & 4) Comparisons to county, state, and 5 like schools NPR Comparison to county and state Writing (Narrative and Extended Response)

HFE 3rd Grade Level 2, 3, 4 3rd:ELA – 95%/97%, Math – 93%/97%, Science – 95%/97%, SS – 93%/95%

HFE 4th Grade Level 2, 3, 4 4th:ELA – 96%/96%, Math – 96%/98%, Science – 98%/97%, SS – 97%/96%

HFE 5th Grade Level 2, 3, 4 5th:ELA – 96%/97%, Math – 94%/97%, Science – 93%/95%, SS – 93%/94%

Highlights Level 2, 3, 4 Every grade scored 94% or above in every subject 3rd & 5th grade increased their score in every subject 3rd scored 2nd highest in county in ELA 4th scored 2nd highest in county in Math 5th grade scored 2nd highest in county in Math and Science

HFE 3rd Grade Level 3 & 4 3rd:ELA – 79%/85%, Math – 77%/85%, Science – 69%/77%, SS – 57%/65%

HFE 4th Grade Level 3 & 4 4th:ELA – 82%/77%, Math – 87%/81%, Science – 79%/76%, SS – 80%/81%

HFE 5th Grade Level 3 & 4 5th:ELA – 82%/79%, Math – 71%/80%, Science – 60%/68%, SS – 54%/62%

Highlights Level 3, 4 3rd scored highest in the county in ELA and Math 3rd increased in every subject 4th scored highest in county in SS and 2nd highest in Science 5th made large gains in Math, Science, and SS

NPR Only a small sample administered Used as an indicator or barometer of student performance relative to peers nationally May NOT be used for TAG

HFE 3rd Grade NPR 3rd increased 11% in ELA

HFE 4th Grade NPR 4th mostly stayed the same but saw a large decrease in ELA 9%

HFE 5th Grade NPR 5th Math increased 11%

Writing Narrative Response Extended Response Writing Task # of points earned out of 4 Extended Response Writing Task Language Usage & Conventions # of points earned out of 3 Idea Development, Organization, & Cohesiveness

Writing Narrative Response Comparing ourselves to last year 4th drastically decreased number of students scoring at lowest level

Extended Response 5th drastically decreased number of students scoring at lowest level and increased number of students scoring at highest level.

Extended Response Not a high percentage of students scoring at highest level. Working on that this year with writing program.

What Does All of This Mean for Your Child? Do you solve all your child’s problems? Do you require your child to think through solutions? Do you require your child to complete multiple step tasks at home? Do you allow your child to suffer the consequences of their actions? Natural consequences? Cause and effect? Does your child have responsibility at home?

How Can I Prepare My Child? Long term activities: Model and practice good study habits Discuss what your child is learning in school Encourage critical thinking Encourage reading skills from birth! Provide a variety of reading materials. Stay in communication with your child’s teacher so you can address weak spots. Best way to prepare is to be a good student every day.