APRIL 11, 12, 17, & 18 AND (5TH GRADE ONLY… APRIL 19 - Science) ARMT+ APRIL 11, 12, 17, & 18 AND (5TH GRADE ONLY… APRIL 19 - Science)

Overview of ARMT+… AMRT+ is a state test that is given to students in grades 3 through 8. ARMT+ is a battery of tests released by the Department of Education as part of the federal No Child Left Behind legislation.

Four Purposes of the ARMT+ To assess students’ mastery content standards in reading and mathematics To report individual and group performance To show relative strengths and weaknesses of individuals and groups To provide data to study changes in performance over time.

Scoring of ARMT+: Once test are complete, individual schools submit there results to their school systems, in which they submit the entire systems test to the Alabama Department of Education testing center for analysis. The results are calculated and returned to the school system, then individual school. The results are presented as statistical data. The data is graphed to show an overall school-system performance, individual school performance, and individual student performance.

Scoring of ARMT+: There are four levels of success Students receive an individual level that measures their performance and mastery of the content assessed.

Scoring of ARMT: Level I represents a score not passing standards and in need of significant improvement. Level II score shows that standards are not met however, it indicates that the student is closer to meeting standards.

Scoring of ARMT: Level III score indicates that the student met standards and has done relatively well. Level IV score indicates that not only did the student meet the state standards, but in fact exceeded those standards.

ARMT+ Reading http://www.mcpss.com/Download.asp?L=2&LMID=81012&PN=DocumentUploads&DivisionID=2141&DepartmentID=1987&SubDepartmentID=&SubP=&Act=Download&T=1&I=142104

What’s all of the “fuss” about the ARMT+ Reading ?

Blueprints ARMT+ Types of Reading Assessed Literary/recreational stories and poetry Textual/informational subject texts Functional manuals, brochures, etc.

Item Types ARMT+ Multiple Choice Questions Stand-alone questions Passage-based questions Key words underlined (Grade 3) Key words italicized (Grades 4-8)

Item Types ARMT+ Open Ended Open-ended Questions

What’s NEW…RIGOR

What is Rigor? “Challenging all students with high expectations”(Gates Foundation Web site) Active, deep, and engaging learning (Small Schools Project) “Academic rigor is based on expectations established for students and staff that ensure that students demonstrate a thorough, in-depth mastery of challenging and complex curricular concepts. In every subject, at every grade level, instruction must include commitment to a knowledge core and the application of that knowledge core to solve complex real-world problems.” (North Carolina State Board of Education, 2005) (Edmunds 2006)

Rigor Increased vocabulary Use of words such as mainly, most likely, probably, and best Answer choices ( words, examples, or excerpts from passages and poems) Comparisons (poem/poem, poem /passage, passage/passage, or chart [table, graph, etc.]/passage) Previously used formats in upper grades may appear in lower grades.

“OLD” WAY VERSUS “NEW” WAY Samples “OLD” WAY VERSUS “NEW” WAY

OLD WAY Grade 3 ARMT Sample A. vegetable. B. meat. C. fruit. An apple is a A. vegetable. B. meat. C. fruit. D. dairy product.

NEW WAY Grade 3 ARMT+ Sample The words brick and yard are put together to make a word that means A. An area where bricks play. B. A piece of material used for sewing. C. An area where bricks are made. D. One who enjoys bricks.

Grade 4 ARMT Sample OLD WAY

+ NEW WAY Grade 4 ARMT+ Sample Compare and contrast the Sun and the Moon. Use specific details from the story to support your answer. Write your answer in the answer document.

NEW WAY Grade 5 ARMT+ Sample Dreams Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die Life is a broken winged bird That cannot fly. For when dreams go Life is a barren field Frozen with snow. Langston Hughes

NEW WAY Grade 5 ARMT+ Samples What is the effect of the author’s use of images? Use details from the poem to support your answer. Write your answer in the answer document. Which line from the poem is an example of a metaphor? A. “Hold fast to dreams” B. “Life is a broken winged bird” C. “For when dreams go” D. “Frozen with snow.”

NEW WAY Grade 5 ARMT+ Sample Which sentence shows possession? A. Johnny can’t reach the box on the top shelf. B. Jafaar’s books are in the brown backpack. C. Kenyatta didn’t call me last night. D. I’ve always combed my hair to one side.

ARMT+ Math http://www.mcpss.com/Download.asp?L=2&LMID=81012&PN=DocumentUploads&DivisionID=2141&DepartmentID=1987&SubDepartmentID=&SubP=&Act=Download&T=1&I=142006 Let’s Practice…

What’s all of the “fuss” about the ARMT+ Math ?

Item Types ARMT+ MATH: Multiple Choice Gridded Response (4th & 5th Grades) Open-ended Response

4th Grade

Gridded Response

Open Ended

Blueprints for Mathematics – 3rd grade: 50 items – 46 MC, 4 OE 4th grade: 64 items – 56 MC, 4 OE, 4 GR 5th grade: 55 items – 45 MC, 4 OE, 6 GR

What’s NEW…RIGOR

Calculator Usage 3rd grade students are not permitted to use a calculator Basic 4-function calculators are allowed for grades 4 – 8 Calculators are not allowed on selected subtest Students need to be proficient with using the specific calculator before the test!

“OLD” WAY VERSUS “NEW” WAY Samples “OLD” WAY VERSUS “NEW” WAY

3rd Grade OLD WAY ARMT: Sam bought a candy bar for 39 cents, including tax. He gave the salesperson 3 quarters for the bar. Which shows the amount of change Sam should receive? ARMT+: George has 39 cents. Which group of coins shows how much more money George would need to have exactly $1? NEW WAY

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Other Information…

NEED TO KNOW! NO CELL PHONES, ETC.

Tips for Parents 1. Get a good night’s sleep before the test. 2. Have a nutritious breakfast. 3. Dress comfortably. 4. Bring all materials you need, such as pencils and erasers. (*Additional tips to follow)

Additional Information Ms. Hardy’s Website http://katehardy.weebly.com/testing.html

QUESTIONS Jami Patrick, Principal Kate Hardy, Counselor Classroom Teacher 205.345.1325