Cornwall Terrace Elementary School

NCLB and PSSA Students tested in 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 11 th grade By the year 2014 all students must score in the proficient or advanced range in each category. The entire student body must have an attendance rate of at least 90% for the school year. This proficiency level must also be reached for all subcategories including: Gender (male, female) Race and ethnicity (Asian, Black, Hispanic, White) IEP students Limited English Proficient Students Economically Disadvantaged Students

PSSA Tests There are three Reading and three Math Sections on the PSSA. Math and Reading sections alternate on the first three days of testing. There are four Writing sections (tested over two days) and three Science sections (tested over two days). All tests are aligned with Pennsylvania Academic Standards, which assess knowledge and skills as described in the Assessment Anchor Content Standards..

AYP Each school and each of its subgroups that contain 40 or more members ( i.e., low income, IEP status, ESL, etc.) will meet the annual proficiency target with 95% participation rate, and show growth in either attendance (K ‐ 8) or graduation rate (9 ‐ 12) towards a 90% goal or 80% goal respectively. AYP will be calculated either by averaging grade spans for 2 years, or by using current year data, whichever is higher.

AYP 54%63%72%81%91%100% %56%67%78%89%100%

PSSA Test Dates Grade 3,4,5 PSSA Reading and Math March March March March March March All Make-upsEvery Subject March 26March 27March 28March 29

PSSA Test Dates Grade 5PSSA WRITING April April April April Grade 4PSSA Science April April April

What Do PSSA Scores Tell Us? Individual student scores (sent to schools and parents/guardians) are used to assist teachers in identifying students in need of additional educational support. Student scores can also help schools determine areas of need regarding curriculum, instruction and assessment. Student scores are classified as Advanced, Proficient, Basic and Below Basic.

PSSA Math Tests PSSA Math Test Information Students take: 72 MC at grades 3 -8 and 11 4 Open-Ended Student score comes from: 60 Multiple Choice questions 3 Open-Ended questions All Grades will alternate subject areas with Math coming first. Students in grades 4-11 may use calculators except for the first few problems on the test

PSSA Math Tests Based on the Assessment Anchor Content Standards 5 Reporting Categories: Numbers and Operations Measurement Geometry Algebra Data Analysis

PSSA Math Tests Examples of how OE items might be phrased: Show all your work. Explain why you did each step. Explain why [something is true or false] Explain how [doing something affects something else; to find something, etc] Show or explain all your work.

PSSA Math Tests~ Sample OE Problem Roy is running for class president. He polls 50 students. 60% of them say they will vote for him. A. There are 350 students in Roy’s class. Based on his survey, how many students should he expect to vote for him? Show or explain all your work. B. Roy will sell fruit drinks to raise money for his campaign. A fruit drink cost $0.10 and he sells it for $0.50. How many fruit drinks does Roy need to sell to earn $80? Show all your work. Explain why you did each step.

PSSA Reading Test Grade 3 example Target Passage Types for Common Passages - 2 Stories - 1 Poem - 1 Informational - 1 Autobiography/Biography or 1 Practical/How-to/Advertisement 58 Multiple-choice items (40 common items) 3 Open-ended items (2 common items) Students write ALL answers in test booklet –Multiple-choice questions~Each is worth 1 point –Open-ended questions~Each is worth 3 points –Responses are scored using item-specific scoring guidelines

PSSA Reading Test Grade 4 -8 Target Passage Types (mix varies by grade) - Story (all grades) - Poem (all grades) - Informational (all grades) - Autobiography/Biography (eligible at all grades) - Practical/How-to/Advertisement - Essay/Editorial (grades 5, 6, 7, 8, & 11) 58 Multiple-choice items (40 common items) 5 Open-ended items (4 common items) Students write answers in answer booklet

PSSA Science Test The Science PSSA will be given to fourth grade students. The assessment consists of a combination of multiple choice and short open-ended items. There are four categories the assessment covers: The Nature of Science Biological Sciences Physical Sciences Earth and Space Sciences

Sample Science PSSA Test Question A teacher brings a branch from a tree into a science classroom. The students need to observe the leaf buds on the branch. Which statement correctly describes the best tool to use for these observations? A) compass can magnify the leaf buds. B) A hand lens can magnify the leaf buds. C) A telescope can allow leaf buds to be viewed from across the classroom. D) A pair of binoculars can allow leaf buds to be viewed from across the classroom.

Sample OE Science Question Cotton is often used to make consumer products. Part A: Identify the source of cotton. Part B: Identify one consumer product that is made from cotton.

PSSA Science Reporting CategoryGrade 4 The Nature of Science 34 50% Biological Sciences % Physical Sciences % Earth and Space Sciences % Total Points 68 points

PSSA Writing Multiple-Choice Section given first - 5 passages with embedded editing and revision errors - 4 questions for each passage Writing prompts - 2 common prompts - 1 field test prompt - Any two of three modes - Phasing in of “elementary friendly” planning page

PSSA Writing Writing prompt responses scored by hand (with 10% read twice) - Focus, Content, Organization and Style * scored holistically * 1-4 pt. Mode-specific Scoring Guide - Editing & Revising: * scored separately * 1-4 pt. Conventions Scoring Guideline Bubbled multiple-choice responses scored by machine * 1 pt. each

What can I tell my child? Reframe Negative Thoughts-Teach your child to challenge each negative idea by finding evidence that it’s not always true. (Child: I won’t remember anything. You: Eating a good breakfast sure helped you remember the answers to the Science test we studied for last week!!) Visualize a calm scene, breathe deeply, and repeat a relaxing phrase in order to stay calm and centered before, during, and after testing.

Test Taking Strategies These tips will help to reduce anxiety while boosting performance at the same time! Ask questions when you are unsure-remind your child to raise their hand and ask for clarification any time they need it! Quickly skim the test before you begin-this way students know about how long the test will take them and can identify some areas they will enjoy before they begin. Answer what you know first-This ensures that students begin the test feeling confident about their abilities. They have worked hard and they will know most of the answers! Check your work when you are finished-remind students to eliminate choices and then to pick the choice that seems to be the “best” choice for every test question!

Testing and Nerves Allow your children to be nervous! The fact that children have “pre- game” nerves shows that what they are about to do is important to them!! But too much nervousness quickly becomes counter-productive. One expert reminds us to think of nerves and anxiety as a fuel. “Like a fuel, anxiety can be wasted and misdirected. It can leak energy and leave you feeling exhausted before you even start!” To compete well, or to perform well on these tests, you don't need to be too relaxed. Rather a certain balance of excitement and nerves will give you absolute readiness, focus and intense building energy.

Happy PSSA testing!! Finally…we think your children are going to truly sparkle and shine on these tests because our CT family is made up of the smartest, sweetest, most adorable children in the entire world!