1. Government H.S.A. 101
Missy Parsons

2. Outcomes
I can utilize the Core Learning Goals, formats, and expectations for the Government HSA exam in order to develop their course for the coming school year.

4. Understanding the State Curriculum and BCPS Curriculum

5. Understanding the S.C. (State Curriculum)
State Curriculum Website
Core Learning Goals
Goal
Content
Goal 1
Political Science
Goal 2
Foreign Policy and Types of Government
Goal 3
Geography, Demographics, and Land Use
Goal 4
Economics

6. H.S.A. Overview and Planning
State Curriculum (SC) Government Units
Unit 1 – Purposes, Forms, and Types of Political and Economic Structures
Unit 2 – Foundations and Principles of Government and the Constitution.
Unit 3 – Legislative Branches (National, State, and Local)
Unit 4 – Executive Branches (National, State, and Local)
Unit 5 – Judicial Branches (National and State)
Unit 6 – Domestic and Foreign Policy
Unit 7 – Participation in Government

7. H.S.A. Overview and Planning

8. State Curriculum and BCPS Curriculum Alignment
SC Goal
Connection to BCPS Curriculum
Goal 1
BCPS Units 1-7
Goal 2
BCPS Units 1 and 6
Goal 3
BCPS Units 3,4, and 6
Goal 4

9. Understanding the State Curriculum Language
Format for objectives in the V.S.C.:
In the language of the objectives, the use of “including” referrers to content students should know.
The use of “such as” refers to content that may be used as examples, but students are not required to know.

10. Understanding the State Curriculum Language Examples
Format for objectives in the V.S.C. Examples:
Explain the powers denied to the national and state governments including: bills of attainder, ex post facto laws and the suspension of habeas corpus in the Constitution.
Describe how the Constitution provides for checks and balances, such as legislative overrides of vetoes.

11. Government H.S.A. 90 Minute Course 2016 Pacing Guide
Unit
# of A/B Days
Unit 1
24 A/B Days (12 Days Per Class with Flex Day)
Unit 2
28 A/B Days (14 Days Per Class with Flex Day)
Unit 3
Unit 4
Unit 5
Unit 6
Review for H.S.A.
8 or More A/B Days (4 Days Per Class or More)
Unit 7
10 or More A/B Days (5 Days Per Class or More)
Final Exam Review
6 or More A/B Days (3 Days Per Class or More)

12. H.S.A Checklist

13. Practicing with H.S.A. Questions and Indicators Activity

14. Applying the Core Learning Goals
Use the provided Core Learning Goals packet to identify the goal, indicator, and objective for each of the HSA questions. Place the answer on the sticky note and place it on the poster.
For Example:

15. Applying the Core Learning Goals
Use the provided Core Learning Goals packet to identify the goal, indicator, and objective for each of the HSA questions. Place the answer on the sticky note and place it on the poster. Record on the sticky note

16. Structure of the Government H.S.A.

17. Structure of the H.S.A.
The Government tests are either taken on paper or on the computer.
Tests contain selected response questions and constructed response items (scored on the 4 point H.S.A. Rubric)
Tests also utilize graphs, political cartoons and pictures for students to analyze and answer questions about.
The test is broken into three sections:
H.S.A.
Session 1
Break
Session 2
Session 3
Government
45 minutes
5 minutes

18. 2013 Question / Goals Breakdown

19. Types of Questions Seen on the H.S.A. Selected Response Items

20. Types of Questions Seen on the H.S.A. Quotes

21. Types of Questions Seen on the H.S.A. Graphics / Charts

22. Types of Questions Seen on the H.S.A. Political Cartoons

23. Types of Questions Seen on the H.S.A. Multi-Step

24. Commonly Found Words on the H.S.A.

25. Copies of Previously Released Government H.S.A.’s
The items on the Public Release Forms of the Government High School Assessment represent a fair measure of the Social Studies Core Learning Goals for Government — Political Systems, Peoples of the Nation and World, Geography, and Economics. Users of these items should take into consideration the following information:
All items have been taken from previously field tested forms, have produced good psychometric data, and are statistically reliable.
Each form is approximately 30 minutes shorter than the version students will take during a formal test administration because the forms do not include field test items.
There are items of all difficulty levels (easy, medium, and hard) on the public release forms.
Each item represents only one way to measure an indicator.
The items measure students' skills and knowledge of content as directed by the Core Learning Goal indicators as designated for the Government High School Assessment.
All item formats — selected response, brief constructed response, and extended constructed response — are represented.

26. Copies of Previously Released Government H.S.A.’s

27. Practice Taking the H.S.A.

28. HSA Study Guide

29. Writing on the H.S.A.

30. H.S.A. Writing Rubric

31. Constructed Responses
The RACER strategy can be used to help struggling writers answer constructed responses effectively:
Restate the question in your opening sentence.
Answer the bulleted points
Cite examples
Explain your examples
Restate the question in your conclusion

32. Example of How to Use RACER Strategy

33. Helpful Websites for the H.S.A.

34. Helpful Government H.S.A. Websites
State HSA Site
Assessment Limits
Teaching Suggestions
Practice Test Items
BCPS Social Studies Toolbox
Online Course
Remediation lessons
Resources