Heards Ferry Elementary TEST TALKS Whitney Shook shook@fultonschools.org

Standardized Tests at HFE GKIDS – Kindergarten - State Basic skills test FastBridge Reading – K-5 – County Screener and diagnostic Inform reading instruction and determine student reading skills Progress monitoring tool FastBridge Math – K-5 - County IOWA – 3, 5 – Nation Norm-referenced ELA, math, social studies, science EOG Milestones – 3, 4, 5 – State 3rd,4th – math and ELA only 5th- ELA, math, science, social studies 3rd, 5th – Pass/fail (reading and/or math)

April 11th – April 25th TESTING DATES IOWA – 3rd & 5th October 22nd - November 2nd EOG – 3rd, 4th, 5th April 11th – April 25th

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

Online Testing All tests are now online.

Uses of Georgia Milestones Communicates student achievement growth SGP- Student Growth Percentile One factor in 6th grade class placement Grade promotion (grades 3, 5, and 8) Grade 3 – reading (on or above) Grade 5 – reading and math (Level 2 or above) EOG’s give us so much information. Lexile level, NPR, Cut level, scale score, and detailed writing scores

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 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 Developing & Proficient 3rd:ELA – 97%/93%/95%, Math – 97%/99%/94% Slight decline over the 3 years

HFE 4th Grade Developing & Proficient 4th:ELA – 96%/97%/97%, Math – 98%/96%/98% Stayed about the same over the 3 years

HFE 5th Grade Developing & Proficient 5th:ELA – 97%/95%/94%, Math – 97%/96%/93%, Science – 95%/94%/92%, SS – 94%/96%/94% Slight decline over the 3 years

Highlights Developing & Proficient Out of 64 FCS elementary schools: 3rd grade third highest ELA score 4th grade third highest ELA score

HFE 3rd Grade Proficient 3rd:ELA – 78%/70%, Math – 85%/78% Decline

HFE 4th Grade Proficient 4th:ELA – 85%/89%, Math – 86%/85% Increase in ELA and slight decline in math

HFE 5th Grade Proficient 5th:ELA – 85%/86%, Math – 80%/80%, Science – 74%/66%, SS – 63%/59% Decrease in SS and science

Highlights Proficient Out of 64 FCS elementary schools: 4th grade highest ELA score 5th grade highest ELA score 4th grade fourth highest math score 5th grade third highest math score

Writing Narrative Response # of points earned (0-4) 4 being the highest score Increased the number of students scoring a 3 in 4th and 5th 4th grade 3 pointers increased by 12 points over the 3 years. 5th grade 3 pointers increase by 17 points

Writing Extended Response-Language and Conventions 3 point scale 4th grade increased the number of students scoring a 3 and decreased the number of students scoring a 2 4th grade increase 3 pointers by 24 points Decrease the 2 pointers by 19 points

Writing Extended Response – Idea Development, Coherence, Organization 4 point scale 5th grade increased the number of students scoring a 4 5th grade increased 4 pointers by 7 points.

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. Ask questions about the text. Stay in communication with your child’s teacher so you can address weak spots.