Writing for the PSSA Jo Beth McKee Pennsylvania Department of Education English Language Education Advisor Edward G. Rendell, Governor Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Education

PA Writing Scoring Guides Multiple Choice Multiple Choice Grammar and usage Grammar and usage Composition Composition 2 scoring guides in each of the 3 modes of writing (informational, persuasive, narrative) 2 scoring guides in each of the 3 modes of writing (informational, persuasive, narrative) Composition Score (Focus, content, organization and style) Composition Score (Focus, content, organization and style) Convention Score Convention Score

Multiple Choice Example Activity Count off by 3 Count off by 3 1’s: Read the paragraph and answer the questions 1’s: Read the paragraph and answer the questions 2’s: Read the paragraph and edit it for errors as you read 2’s: Read the paragraph and edit it for errors as you read 3’s: Read the questions first and then read the paragraph 3’s: Read the questions first and then read the paragraph

Multiple Choice Writing Example Activity In groups of 3 or 4 discuss the following In groups of 3 or 4 discuss the following What strategy did you use? What worked? What didn’t work? What strategy did you use? What worked? What didn’t work? How could this be differentiated within a classroom? How could this be differentiated within a classroom? How can this type of exercise be incorporated into content instruction? How can this type of exercise be incorporated into content instruction?

Use the Questions! Use the multiple choice questions and answers to gauge what might be in the test. Use the multiple choice questions and answers to gauge what might be in the test. Review M/C questions Review M/C questions

5 th Grade Example 1 Last summer, my family went on a weekend trip to Lake Erie. 2 We packed our bags in the evening and left early the next morning. 3 When I asked my dad which direction we were going, he told me to look at the map. 4 I find my hometown of Pittsburgh and make a line with my finger to the lake. 5 We were driving North. 6 It took us a little over two, hours to get there. 7 That afternoon, my mom and I went on a bird-watching hike. 8 Then I went fishing with my grandparents, and I made sandcastles with my sister on the beach. 1 Last summer, my family went on a weekend trip to Lake Erie. 2 We packed our bags in the evening and left early the next morning. 3 When I asked my dad which direction we were going, he told me to look at the map. 4 I find my hometown of Pittsburgh and make a line with my finger to the lake. 5 We were driving North. 6 It took us a little over two, hours to get there. 7 That afternoon, my mom and I went on a bird-watching hike. 8 Then I went fishing with my grandparents, and I made sandcastles with my sister on the beach. 6. Which sentence has an error in capitalization? 6. Which sentence has an error in capitalization? A sentence 1 A sentence 1 B sentence 3 B sentence 3 C sentence 5 C sentence 5 D sentence 8 D sentence 8 Turn the question around and ask why the other 3 should be capitalized. Turn the question around and ask why the other 3 should be capitalized.

8 th Grade Example 5 He also writes weekly Editorials for The Miami Herald. 6 Even though his books are about serious subjects, they are written humorously and are filled with adventures and bizarre characters. 7 Hiaasen’s writing is well-liked by people of all ages. 8 His books have been translated into thirty languages, and he has been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize three times. 5 He also writes weekly Editorials for The Miami Herald. 6 Even though his books are about serious subjects, they are written humorously and are filled with adventures and bizarre characters. 7 Hiaasen’s writing is well-liked by people of all ages. 8 His books have been translated into thirty languages, and he has been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize three times. Which word should not be capitalized? Which word should not be capitalized? A Editorials in sentence 5 A Editorials in sentence 5 Herald in sentence 5 Herald in sentence 5 Pulitzer in sentence 8 Pulitzer in sentence 8 Prize in sentence 8 Prize in sentence 8 Turn the question around and ask why the other 3 should be capitalized. Turn the question around and ask why the other 3 should be capitalized.

How is Writing Assessed? How is Writing Assessed? Student Writing Student Writing Informational Informational Persuasive Persuasive Narrative Narrative

Writing Domains = Composition Score Writing Domains = Composition Score Focus Focus The single controlling point made with an awareness of task (mode) about a specific topic. The single controlling point made with an awareness of task (mode) about a specific topic. Content Content Ideas developed through facts, examples, anecdotes, details, opinions, etc. Ideas developed through facts, examples, anecdotes, details, opinions, etc. Organization Organization The order developed and sustained within and across paragraphs. The order developed and sustained within and across paragraphs. Style Style The choice, use and arrangement of words and sentences that create tone and voice. The choice, use and arrangement of words and sentences that create tone and voice. Conventions (assessed separately from FCOS) Conventions (assessed separately from FCOS) Grammar, mechanics. Grammar, mechanics.

The Writing Process Pre-write Pre-write Brainstorm, graphic organizers, etc Brainstorm, graphic organizers, etc Draft Draft Words on paper Words on paper Revise Revise For content: add, delete, organize thoughts For content: add, delete, organize thoughts Edit Edit Conventions Conventions Publish Publish Others see the work Others see the work

Scoring Composition … Focus Focus Content Content Organization Organization Style Style Conventions Conventions Use the Domain Scoring Guide as a basis for a common writing rubric. Use the Domain Scoring Guide as a basis for a common writing rubric. Incorporate the writing process into current writing program. Incorporate the writing process into current writing program.

Grading Activity Score the provided released items using the assessment domain scoring guide. Score the provided released items using the assessment domain scoring guide. Put your FCOS score and Convention score on the back and give paper to a partner to score. Put your FCOS score and Convention score on the back and give paper to a partner to score. Compare scores. Compare scores. Score student work using the assessment domain scoring guide. Score student work using the assessment domain scoring guide.

Link to PSSA Released Items r.pt/community/pennsylvania_system_of_s chool_assessment_(pssa)/8757/resource_ materials/ r.pt/community/pennsylvania_system_of_s chool_assessment_(pssa)/8757/resource_ materials/ r.pt/community/pennsylvania_system_of_s chool_assessment_(pssa)/8757/resource_ materials/ r.pt/community/pennsylvania_system_of_s chool_assessment_(pssa)/8757/resource_ materials/507610

Standards Aligned System One Stop Shop for Educators One Stop Shop for Educators Academic Standards Academic Standards Fair Assessments Fair Assessments Curricular Framework Curricular Framework Instruction Instruction Materials and Resources Materials and Resources Interventions Interventions

Office of Elementary and Secondary Education Diane Castelbuono, Deputy Secretary Bureau of Teaching and Learning Support Dr. Edward Vollbrecht, Director Division of Standards and Curriculum Teresa Shakespeare, Acting Division Chief

The mission of the Pennsylvania Department of Education is to lead and serve the educational community, to enable each individual to grow into an inspired, productive, fulfilled lifelong learner.