1. Heards Ferry Elementary TEST TALKS
Whitney Shook

2. Standardized Tests at HFE
GKIDS – Kindergarten - State
Basic skills test
FastBridge Reading – K-5 – County
Screener and diagnostic
Inform reading instruction and determine student reading skills
Progress monitoring tool
FastBridge Math – K-5 - County
IOWA – 3, 5 – Nation
Norm-referenced
ELA, math, social studies, science
EOG Milestones – 3, 4, 5 – State
3rd,4th – math and ELA only
5th- ELA, math, science, social studies
3rd, 5th – Pass/fail (reading and/or math)

3. April 11th – April 25th TESTING DATES IOWA – 3rd & 5th
October 22nd - November 2nd
EOG – 3rd, 4th, 5th
April 11th – April 25th

4. What is a STANDARDIZED Test?
Any test in which the same test is given in the same manner to all test takers, is a standardized test.
Standardized tests are perceived as being fairer than non-standardized tests, because everyone gets the same test and the same grading system. The consistency also permits a more reliable comparison of outcomes across all test takers, because everyone is taking the same test.

5. How Have Standardized Tests Changed?
Tests are matching what we now require of students in the classroom.
Example
Multiple steps
Require critical thinking
Problem solving
Writing/typing

6. Online Testing
All tests are now online.

7. Uses of Georgia Milestones
Communicates student achievement growth
SGP- Student Growth Percentile
One factor in 6th grade class placement
Grade promotion (grades 3, 5, and 8)
Grade 3 – reading (on or above)
Grade 5 – reading and math (Level 2 or above)
EOG’s give us so much information.
Lexile level, NPR, Cut level, scale score, and detailed writing scores

8. Achievement vs. Growth Achievement Growth
How well students are meeting state expectations
Snapshot look at student performance
Growth
How students are progressing from year to year
Takes students’ starting points into consideration
was baseline year

9. Types of Scores Scale Scores
Range varies depending on grade level and content area
Achievement Levels
Achievement Level Cuts
Developing Learner: 475 (Level 2)
Proficient Learner: 525 (Level 3)
Distinguished Learner: varies from 555 to 610 (Level 4)
Domain Signals
Scale score ties to level
Below 475 is Beginning Learner

10. Norm-Referenced Scores
Supplemental Information:
National Percentile Rank (NPR)
NPR Range
Remember:
A sample of norm-referenced items were administered
Norm-referenced Testing (NRT) data should be utilized as an indicator or barometer of student performance relative to their peers nationally.
NPRs from Georgia Milestones may not be used for gifted program identification.

11. HFE Scores Developing & Proficient Level (2, 3, & 4)
Comparisons to county, state, and 5 like schools
NPR
Comparison to county and state
Writing (Narrative and Extended Response)

12. HFE 3rd Grade Developing & Proficient
3rd:ELA – 97%/93%/95%, Math – 97%/99%/94%
Slight decline over the 3 years

13. HFE 4th Grade Developing & Proficient
4th:ELA – 96%/97%/97%, Math – 98%/96%/98%
Stayed about the same over the 3 years

14. HFE 5th Grade Developing & Proficient
5th:ELA – 97%/95%/94%, Math – 97%/96%/93%, Science – 95%/94%/92%, SS – 94%/96%/94%
Slight decline over the 3 years

15. Highlights Developing & Proficient
Out of 64 FCS elementary schools:
3rd grade third highest ELA score
4th grade third highest ELA score

16. HFE 3rd Grade Proficient
3rd:ELA – 78%/70%, Math – 85%/78%
Decline

17. HFE 4th Grade Proficient
4th:ELA – 85%/89%, Math – 86%/85%
Increase in ELA and slight decline in math

18. HFE 5th Grade Proficient
5th:ELA – 85%/86%, Math – 80%/80%, Science – 74%/66%, SS – 63%/59%
Decrease in SS and science

19. Highlights Proficient
Out of 64 FCS elementary schools:
4th grade highest ELA score
5th grade highest ELA score
4th grade fourth highest math score
5th grade third highest math score

20. Writing Narrative Response
# of points earned (0-4) 4 being the highest score
Increased the number of students scoring a 3 in 4th and 5th
4th grade 3 pointers increased by 12 points over the 3 years.
5th grade 3 pointers increase by 17 points

21. Writing Extended Response-Language and Conventions 3 point scale
4th grade increased the number of students scoring a 3 and decreased the number of students scoring a 2
4th grade increase 3 pointers by 24 points
Decrease the 2 pointers by 19 points

22. Writing Extended Response – Idea Development, Coherence, Organization
4 point scale
5th grade increased the number of students scoring a 4
5th grade increased 4 pointers by 7 points.

23. What Does All of This Mean for Your Child?
Do you solve all your child’s problems?
Do you require your child to think through solutions?
Do you require your child to complete multiple step tasks at home?
Do you allow your child to suffer the consequences of their actions? Natural consequences? Cause and effect?
Does your child have responsibility at home?

24. How Can I Prepare My Child?
Long term activities:
Model and practice good study habits
Discuss what your child is learning in school
Encourage critical thinking
Encourage reading skills from birth! Provide a variety of reading materials. Ask questions about the text.
Stay in communication with your child’s teacher so you can address weak spots.