1. WLES 3rd Grade Parent Meeting January 14th, 2014
Let the PROCESS begin!

2. NCRtA Implementation Guide
Flow Chart Narrative
Flow Chart Picture
Standards assessed for Portfolio passages

3. Implementation of the North Carolina Read to Achieve Program
Introduction slide
In July 2012 NC passed, as part of the Excellent Public Schools Act, NC Read to Achieve Law. This legislation takes effect in the school year. today we want o talk to you about how this will impact your 3rd grade student.

4. The Goal:
“The goal of the State is to ensure that every student read at or above grade level by the end of third grade and continue to progress in reading proficiency so that he or she can read, comprehend, integrate, and apply complex text when needed for secondary education and career success.”
This is the Goal of the General Assembly’s NC Read to Achieve Law. Read to Achieve outlines reading requirements for elementary students and describes what schools will be doing to assist children in reaching their reading goals.

5. Major Components Comprehensive Literacy Plan
K-3 Diagnostic Reading Assessment
Mandatory retention of third graders not performing on grade level
All 3rd graders not performing on grade level should have a PEP created and maintained. Parents should be called to come in for conferences to see progress during each nine weeks.
Summer Reading Camp
Fourth Grade Transitional Classes
These are the major components we will be discussing throughout this presentation.

6. K-3 Diagnostic Reading Assessment mClass Reading 3D
Teachers get immediate feedback about instructional needs of students
Parent reports are generated to provide notification of assessment results and information regarding reading
proficiency (Home Connect Letter)
All students will be assessed using a tool called mCLASS Reading 3D. These assessments will give teachers a detailed look at where a students stands in terms of the early literacy skills needed to become a proficient reader. Teachers will use this information to plan appropriate reading instruction to help every student move forward as a reader. Parents will be informed about how their student did on these assessment measures in writing. The report that will be coming home is called the Home Connect letter.

7. Third Grade: What To Expect
Third grade students will complete 3rd grade Read to Achieve passages and the EOG for reading.
If they score at grade level, they are promoted to 4th grade.
If they are not, they will take a retest of the EOG in an alternate test. This is the Read to Achieve test. It is slightly different from the EOG.
If they score at grade level on the alternate re-take test, they
are promoted to 4th grade
This is a transition year for 3rd grade students. Starting this year your child will also be assessed on the state End of Grade assessment in reading and math. These are standardized summative assessments. These assessments will determine next steps for each student. Read the slide. Students are given opportunities to practice through benchmark assessments.

8. Third Grade: What if my child does not pass the retake/alternate test?
If third grade students are still not at grade level, they may qualify for a “good cause exemption”.
The Superintendent will accept or reject the recommendation in writing.
Read slide

9. Good Cause Exemptions
1. Limited English Proficient students with fewer than 2 years of instruction in English Second Language (ESL).
2. Students with disabilities with Individual education Plans (IEPs) that specify alternative assessments.
3. Students who demonstrate reading proficiency appropriate for 3rd grade on an alternative assessment.
4. Students who demonstrate reading proficiency through a student reading portfolio.
5. Students who have received reading intervention and previously been retained more than once in prior grades.
Read slide

10. Student Reading Portfolio
•The content expectations of the Student Reading Portfolio will be consistent across the state.
•Portfolio contents for third grade students began last week.
-Caldwell County Portfolio Standards Administration Guide
-Three passages a week / one a day
-Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday
-Passages will be done starting at 8:30
-Make-ups – Friday during “Encore”
-Students will have a minimum of 36 grand total passages to read between now and April 17th.
-Passages will focus on a particular North Carolina Standard Course of Study standard. Students will be tested on twelve of these standards.
***Please, please do all you can to not be absent these days***
•In order to demonstrate mastery of each standard, a student is required to complete a minimum of three passages per standard with four out of five questions correct on each passage.
The student portfolio can also be used to demonstrate growth and proficiency as a reader. Teachers will be keeping reading portfolios on students on a as needed basis. Read the slide to inform parents on the components of the portfolio.

11. Student Reading Portfolio ‘cont
•The contents will be based on the third grade standards and will be very specific. The passages taken will be put in the portfolio.
•It will include samples from the standards as well as student summary report of progress monitoring in Reading 3D (K-3 Reading Diagnostic Assessment System).
•It will not be just a few samples of student work. The portfolio must have a minimum of three passages that show mastery.

12. Online
Score Summary Sheet

13. Student Reading Portfolio Guidelines
Only 3 passages per week (cannot test more)
Must be a cold read
Must be completed independently
Untimed
Can’t be sent home for homework
All attempts must be documented, dated, recorded, stored in student’s folder
Passages can only be attempted ONCE
Scores should be given to students but teachers cannot go over any of the passages.

14. What are we doing now?
Hired reading tutor to come Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday since before Christmas break and will continue until the end of school.
Master schedule has been re-worked to put more help in 3rd grade for one on one and small group help.
Use of READY and Coach books to review and practice test taking skills.
3rd grade teachers will have two Early College students coming every Friday starting in March to help with small groups as well.
Mastery jar and Effort jar on Fridays for students as an incentive for doing their best.

15. Third Grade: What if my child is not a candidate
for a good cause exemption and does not pass the passages, the EOG, or the alternate test?
If students do not qualify for a “good cause exemption,” they are then enrolled in a Summer Reading Camp.
Enrollment in the summer camp is the parent’s decision. If the choice is not to enroll, the student is retained to a 3rd grade classroom.
read slide

16. Summer Reading Camp Outside of the instructional calendar
Parents or guardians will make the final decision regarding attendance
Will last approximately 6-8 weeks, include 4 or 5 days per week, and at least 3 hours of instruction per day
Top quality teachers will be selected based on demonstrated
student outcomes in reading proficiency
Students do not necessarily have to stay for the entire camp. If they were proficient in all but two standards they stay until those standards are proficient and then
This is what we know at this time about the Summer Reading Camp. Read Slide

17. What Is After Summer Camp?
On Grade Level:
•Student attends and successfully completes the Summer Reading Camp
•Passes the EOG, alternate test OR passes with a complete reading
portfolio.
•Will be promoted to 4th grade
Not On Grade Level:
•If the student is still not proficient, the student moves to the next school year with a “retained” label on the record in PowerSchool.
They will take another test in November. If they pass they will come out of the intensive remediation and go forward with 4th grade work.
Read Slide

18. What Can Parents Do? Read Together!
Find some time for reading every day. Reading before bedtime is great, but any time is a good time for reading.
Be sure to read books that your child enjoys. If you have selected a book, and then find you are not interested in it, stop reading it and select another one.
Even 15 minutes a day will make a big difference in your child’s achievement and enjoyment of reading.
Ask questions about what they are reading. Who is the main character? Why did a character act a particular way in the story? How do you know? Ask them to use the RIGHT method to answer your questions.
Together we can ensure your child's success but we must work together. We will be communicating with you throughout the year about your child's progress and ways you can help at home. The number 1 way to become a better reader is to read so we want you to start there. Read the slide

19. If you can believe it you can achieve it!
This is going to be a great school year!! Thank you for coming.