GRINNELL HIGH SCHOOL IOWA ASSESSMENT INFORMATION FRESHMEN, SOPHOMORE, JUNIOR SEMINARS January 22, 2014

WHAT ARE THE IOWA ASSESSMENTS? We used to call them the ITED or ITBS tests Series of 7 tests that help schools determine if students are making sufficient Academic Growth 1) Reading 2) Written Expression 3) Vocabulary 4) Science 5) Math Problem Solving 6) Math Computation 7) Social Studies

WHEN ARE WE TAKING THE IOWA ASSESSMENTS? All students in 9 th – 11 th Grades will be taking the tests next Wednesday, Thursday & Friday (Jan. 29 th – 31 st ) in the morning Wednesday, Jan. 29Thursday, Jan. 30Friday, Jan. 31 8:30-9:30: 9 th -11 th Grade Testing * Seniors are not to be in the building until 9:30 Follow the one hour late start schedule starting at 9:30 for the rest of the day (48 minute classes) 8:30–10:40: 9 th -11 th Grade Testing * Seniors are not to be in the building until 10:30 10:50-11:50: 1 st Period 11:55-1:20: 3 rd Period (& Lunch) 1:25-2:25: 5 th Period * 2:30-3:15: Make-Up Testing 8:30–10:40: 9 th -11 th Grade Testing * Seniors are not to be in the building until 10:30 10:50-11:50: 2 nd Period 11:55-1:20: 4 th Period (& Lunch) 1:25-2:25: 6 th Period * 2:30–3:15: Make-Up Testing

TESTING SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE Wednesday, January 29 th : 1) Reading Comprehension (40 minutes) Followed by a 1 hour late start schedule Thursday, January 30 th : 1) Written Expression (40 minutes) 2) Math Computation (20 minutes) 3) Math Problem Solving (40 minutes) Followed by Periods 1, 3, & 5 Friday, January 31 st : 1) Science (40 minutes) 2) Vocabulary (20 minutes) 3) Social Studies (40 minutes) Followed by Periods 2, 4, & 6

DID YOU GET THAT? 9 th, 10 th, & 11 th Graders will be testing in the morning then we’ll run a 1 hour late start schedule on Wednesday starting at 9:30... then we’ll run the ODD classes on Thursday (Periods 1, 3, & 5)... then we’ll run the EVEN Classes on Friday (Periods 2, 4, & 6) And you will be dismissed at 2:30 both days IF YOU HAVE COMPLETED YOUR TESTING

DETAILS ABOUT TESTING DAYS Teachers will be available for E-Squared Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday mornings No Seniors will be in the building until 9:30 on Wednesday & 10:30 Thursday & Friday ALL 9 th – 11 th Graders will report to their Seminars by 8:25 Be sure to have a good night’s sleep & breakfast both days Be sure to bring extra #2 pencils both days Come Ready to Do Your Absolute Best!

WHAT DO THE TESTS DO FOR YOU ? Grinnell High School Students have a strong tradition of doing very well on these tests (our kids do better than Pella, Newton, Norwalk, etc.) This year, your results will be sent to your parents with a predicted ACT Score & College Readiness Score This will help you and your parents see what areas you will need to work on before taking a college entrance exam The results of the tests also help GHS focus on what programs we need to improve as a school district

YOUR NSS SCORE HISTORY... (SINCE 6 TH GRADE) Here are your past NSS scores for Reading, Math, & Science since 6 th grade What direction are your trend lines going (if they are progressively going up, you are in good shape!) If you are new to GHS, you might not have a copy of your NSS scores to look at... (my apologies)

A LOOK A THE NUMBERS... We used to look at your percentile rank Which means if you got an 86 – that means you scored better than 86% of your peers You will still get a percentile rank score, BUT … IT’S MORE IMPORTANT TO SHOW GROWTH! Mid to Above AverageAdvanced Level 9 th Grade NSS 10 th Grade NSS 11 th Grade NSS NSS of 260 – 310 NSS of 268 – 319 NSS of 275 – 328 NSS of 310 or Higher NSS of 319 or Higher NSS of 328 or Higher

HOW DO THE TESTS AFFECT MY COURSES? Students who show great growth and understanding according to the tests, may be able to opt out of an AxB section of Integrated I, II, or III for the AB section Students who do not show adequate progress in Reading Comprehension will take Language Arts Lab during 1 st and 2 nd Trimester during the next year. It’s important for students to also understand that... AT 9:00 AM ON THURSDAY THE TOWN WHISTLE BLOWS SO DON’T FREAK OUT!

INCENTIVES! 9 th & 10 th Seminars with the Highest NSS Averages and Most Improved Performers will be getting Pizza - the “CHAMPIONSHIP” Seminars from last year.... Mr. Covino Mr. Molitor Ms. Marshall 11 th Graders with the largest (most improved) NSS Growth Scores will be given Open Campus for 3 rd Trimester

QUESTIONS? What questions do you have about the tests or testing schedule? Yes, you can use a calculator for the Math Problem Solving Test (the long one), but NOT the Math Computation Test (the short one)