2. Let’s make this monster a little less scary!

3. The state assessments are NOT…
It is NOT a grade on your child’s report card.
It is NOT a way to determine your child’s promotion to the next grade, or not.
It is NOT used to place your child in a particular homeroom: their feet are in their seats before we even have results!
It is NOT used to compare your child to any other child!

4. On the other hand…

5. Why is it important to US that your child take the state assessments?
We want your child to be ready to tackle obstacles they may face in their future, learning ways to cope with fears and test anxiety they may face.
Through the state tests we can monitor our curriculum and ensure we work to close gaps in learning that may arise.
We monitor your child’s progress: are they maintaining their proficiency level or demonstrating growth.
If adequate or equal performance is met comparatively to that of other years, how can we best continue to support your child’s learning.
If decreases occur, working to understand deficits and putting interventions in place to support their progress in learning.
4. Our school remaining open relies on your child’s participation; as this is a measure by which our school is ranked in the ‘eyes of CSI’ as a successful school that is meeting the needs of the children in Buffalo and surrounding areas.

6. So, how is the state assessment used to HELP your child?
Student performance on the state assessments we also monitor your child’s proficiency using:
Classroom assessments and observations
STAR Math
STAR Reading
Fountas and Pinnell Reading Inventory
Lexia Core 5/ Power Up
…and more.

7. In ELA (Reading and Writing):
What have WE at SBCS been doing to support your child and their readiness for taking the state assessments?
In ELA (Reading and Writing):
increasing reading stamina
repeated readings of the same text, close reading, for better understanding of the text
increasing students’ independent reading levels
breaking down, annotating and using column notes understand the text
reading for clarity and central massages in the text
reading the short response questions and extended response questions to break down the task into smaller tasks
writing to respond to the questions being asked and using proper conventions
In Math:
practicing mathematical computation fluency, and mastery of formulas for solving equations
reading word problems and deciphering the requirements to solve
drawing graphs, charts, line plots, etc. to demonstrate math mastery and understanding
write math explanations of solutions and reasoning
demonstrate solutions and checking for reasonableness

8. Why should students participate in the New York State Assessments?

9. pilot nurse lawyer fireman police officer accountant doctor
veterinarian
Marketing
lawyer
fireman
police officer
garbage (wo)man
Graduate from HIGH SCHOOL
Insurance Broker
pilot
Criminal Justice
accountant
cannot be a part of a union
doctor
plumber
Information Technology Services
dentist
go to college
teacher
pharmacist
drivers license
electrician
personal trainer
auto technician
Hair Stylist
Military

10. What is the format of the test?

11. What are students expected to do on the Grade 3 & 4 ELA assessment: April 2 - 4
Day 1:
Day 2:
Reading:
4 Reading Passages
24 multiple-choice questions
(Students record their answer choices by darkening the circles on their Answer Sheet.)
Writing:
3 Reading Passages
6 short-response questions and
1 extended-response question
(Students write answers directly
in their booklet.)

12. What are students expected to do on the Grade 5 & 6 ELA assessment: April 2 - 4
Day 1:
Day 2:
Reading:
5 Reading Passages
35 multiple-choice questions
(Students record their answer choices by darkening the circles on their Answer Sheet.)
Writing:
3 Reading Passages
6 short-response questions and
1 extended-response question
(Students write answers directly
in their booklet.)

13. What are students expected to do on the Grade 7 & 8 ELA assessment: April 2 - 4
Day 1:
Day 2:
Reading:
5 Reading Passages
35 multiple-choice questions
(Students record their answer choices by darkening the circles on their Answer Sheet.)
Writing:
3 Reading Passages
7 short-response questions and
1 extended-response question
(Students write answers directly
in their booklet.)

14. What are students expected to do on the Grade 3 Math assessment: May 1 - 3
Day 1:
Day 2:
25 multiple-choice questions (Students record their answer choices by darkening the circles on their Answer Sheet 1.)
8 multiple-choice questions
(Students record their answer choices by darkening the circles on their Answer Sheet 2.)
6 short-response questions and 1 extended-response question
(Students write answers directly in their Session 2 booklet.)

15. What are students expected to do on the Grade 4 Math assessment: May 1 - 3
Day 1:
Day 2:
30 multiple-choice questions (Students record their answer choices by darkening the circles on their Answer Sheet 1.)
8 multiple-choice questions
(Students record their answer choices by darkening the circles on their Answer Sheet 2.)
6 short-response questions and 1 extended-response question
(Students write answers directly in their Session 2 booklet.)

16. What are students expected to do on the Grade 5 Math assessment: May 1 - 3
Day 1:
Day 2:
30 multiple-choice questions (Students record their answer choices by darkening the circles on their Answer Sheet 1.)
8 multiple-choice questions
(Students record their answer choices by darkening the circles on their Answer Sheet 2.)
6 short-response questions and 1 extended-response question
(Students write answers directly in their Session 2 booklet.)

17. What are students expected to do on the Grade 6 Math assessment: May 1 - 3
Day 1:
Day 2:
31 multiple-choice questions (Students record their answer choices by darkening the circles on their Answer Sheet 1.)
7 multiple-choice questions
(Students record their answer choices by darkening the circles on their Answer Sheet 2.)
7 short-response questions and 1 extended-response question
(Students write answers directly in their Session 2 booklet.)

18. What are students expected to do on the Grade 7 Math assessment: May 1 - 3
Day 1:
Day 2:
33 multiple-choice questions (Students record their answer choices by darkening the circles on their Answer Sheet 1.)
7 multiple-choice questions
(Students record their answer choices by darkening the circles on their Answer Sheet 2.)
7 short-response questions and 1 extended-response question
(Students write answers directly in their Session 2 booklet.)

19. What are students expected to do on the Grade 8 Math assessment: May 1 - 3
Day 1:
Day 2:
33 multiple-choice questions (Students record their answer choices by darkening the circles on their Answer Sheet 1.)
7 multiple-choice questions
(Students record their answer choices by darkening the circles on their Answer Sheet 2.)
7 short-response questions and 1 extended-response question
(Students write answers directly in their Session 2 booklet.)

20. students get to take the test?
Time is of the essence…..
….so, how much time do
students get to take the test?

21. Time is of the essence…. …
Time is of the essence….. ….so, how much time do students get to take the test?
There is no limit!

22. In general, as long as students are working productively, they will
The 2019 Grades 3-8 ELA and Math Tests will be untimed
In general, as long as students are working productively, they will
have as much time as they need to complete each test session, within
the confines of the regular school day.
Average time it will take students to complete each session by grade:
Grade Level
Session 1
Session 2
Grade 3
55 – 65 minutes
60 – 70 minutes
Grade 4
65 – 75 minutes
Grade 5
80 – 90 minutes
70 – 80 minutes
Grade 6
75 – 85 minutes
Grade 7
Grade 8

23. Parents, how can you help?
SLEEP: it’s important you get a great night sleep before the test
POSITIVE: be positive, think of all the ways you have been successful
EAT: eat a good breakfast before the test; especially protein
SEE IT: it’s important to get a great night sleep before the test
BREATHE: take deep breaths throughout the test
SKIP: skip through tough questions and go back to them at the end; or even start from the back of the test
DUMP! During the test jot down facts on the back
PERSPECTIVE: put the test into perspective, remember that this test will not make or break your future

24. SLEEP: it’s important you get a great night sleep before the test
POSITIVE: be positive, think of all the ways you have been successful
EAT: eat a good breakfast before the test; especially protein
SEE IT: close your eyes and try to visualize (picture) the question
BREATHE: take deep breaths throughout the test
SKIP: skip through tough questions and go back to them at the end; or even start from the back of the test
DUMP! During the test jot down facts on the back
PERSPECTIVE: put the test into perspective, remember that this test will not make or break your future