1. WELCOME! League Academy Parent Workshop #1 How can I help my child
on the PACT test?

2. PACT Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test
How Can I Help My Child On PACT?
Dates: April 29- May 3, 2002

3. Why Test?
Tests are a part of life. They are useful for measuring our skills, our knowledge and our attainment of standards.
In today's society, there's a lot of testing. If you want a driver's license, there's a written test and a driving test. To get a job, you often have to take a test.

4. Students in South Carolina Take a Variety of Tests:
PACT (Palmetto Achievement Challenge Tests)
BSAP Exit Exam (SC Basic Skills Assessment Program)
MAT-7 (Metropolitan Achievement Tests)
NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress)
School district tests
Classroom tests
Tests to get into college or the military

5. What Have We Learned From These Tests and Comparisons?
1. Students in South Carolina must do better on the tests they take.
2. The standards for our state tests are too low. According to the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation, our state standards are ranked third in the nation. Since the PACT test is relatively new, it will take time for us to reach these standards!
As a state, we must raise standards and better prepare our students to meet them, so they will be ready for work and college.

6. South Carolina is committed to new, higher standards in all subjects, including the subjects of Mathematics, Reading/English Language Arts, Science and Social Studies

7. Parent Questions about PACT
Why was PACT developed?
Who designed PACT?
What type of questions are on the test?
Are all students required to take the test?
How will my child be prepared to take this test and do well?

8. Parent Questions about PACT
How will the test be scored to be sure it is fair?
Will I be informed of my child’s test results? What kind of information will the results of the test tell me about my child?
When will the PACT test be given and in what grades will it be administered?

9. Students:
Always be prepared for class by doing your homework and having the required materials.
Ask questions when you do not understand something.
Review your notes from class at home each evening when the material is still fresh in your mind.
Take higher-level courses to challenge yourself to your fullest potential.
Review the sample test questions for your grade level.

10. Parents:
Read to and with your child.
Make sure your child sees you reading.
Make sure your child attends school regularly.
Maintain regular communication with your child’s teachers.
Monitor your child’s homework and progress in school. Provide a quiet, comfortable place for studying at home.
Become an active member in your child’s parent-teacher organization.
Make sure your child gets plenty of rest and has a well-rounded diet.

11. Teachers:
Continue to become familiar with the frameworks and standards as you incorporate them into your daily lesson plans.
Explain the testing program to your students and their parents.
Use Essential Questions as a way of communicating in “kid language” what students must know for PACT.
Encourage students to ask questions.
Review school wide test results to strengthen weaknesses.

12. BSAP and PACT Comparison
Grade 6
At a clearance sale, the price of a VCR was discounted 40%. The discount price was $375. What was the original price? Explain how you solved this problem. Answer: $625 with explanation.
Grade 6
60% of _________ = 375
A B. 250
C. 625 answer D

13. BSAP and PACT Comparison
The picture below shows the same amount of sugar in two different forms.
sugar cube loose sugar
When sugar dissolves in water, is a physical or a chemical change taking place? Explain your answer.
Design an experiment to determine which form of sugar would dissolve faster. Be sure to list all the materials you will use and the steps of your procedure.
Answer 1. physical change with an explanation; experiment designed
Grade 8
A sugar cube dissolving in water is an example of:
A. a physical change. answer
B. a chemical change.
C. an atomic change.
D. a kinetic change.

14. Grade 6 Math Test Information
Type of Item
Number of Items
Value
Total Points
Multiple Choice 49 1
Open Ended
Less than 16
1-4 16
Strand
Name
Emphasis I
Number and Numeration Systems
21% II
Numerical and Algebraic Concepts/ Operations
18%
III
Patterns, Relationships and Functions
15% IV
Geometry and Spatial Sense
22% V
Measurement
12% VI
Probability and Statistics

15. Grade 6 ELA Test Information
Type of Item
Number of Items
Value
Total Points
Multiple Choice 49 1
Open Ended Response
Less than 16
1-4 16
Extended Response 2 15 30
Strand
Approximate Percentage of Test Item Points
Reading
45%
Writing
40%
Listening
10%
Research 5%
Speaking 0%

16. Grade 7 Math Test Information
Type of Item
Number of Items
Value
Total Points
Multiple Choice 49 1
Open Ended
Less than 16
1-5 16
Strand
Name
Emphasis I
Number and Numeration Systems
10% II
Numerical and Algebraic Concepts/ Operations
20%
III
Patterns, Relationships and Functions IV
Geometry and Spatial Sense
16% V
Measurement
14% VI
Probability and Statistics

17. Grade 7 ELA Test Information
Type of Item
Number of Items
Value
Total Points
Multiple Choice 49 1
Open Ended Response
Less than 16
1-4 16
Extended Response 2 15 30
Strand
Approximate Percentage of Test Item Points
Reading
45%
Writing
40%
Listening
10%
Research 5%
Speaking 0%

18. Grade 8 Math Test Information
Type of Item
Number of Items
Value
Total Points
Multiple Choice 60 1
Open Ended
Less than 20
1-5 20
Strand
Name
Emphasis I
Number and Numeration Systems
10% II
Numerical and Algebraic Concepts/ Operations
20%
III
Patterns, Relationships and Functions IV
Geometry and Spatial Sense
16% V
Measurement
14% VI
Probability and Statistics

19. Grade 8 ELA Test Information
Type of Item
Number of Items
Value
Total Points
Multiple Choice 60 1
Open Ended Response
Less than 20
1-4 20
Extended Response 2 15 30
Strand
Approximate Percentage of Test Item Points
Reading
45%
Writing
40%
Listening
10%
Research 5%
Speaking 0%

20. Let’s Take a Look at PACT Mini-Tests
PACT mini-tests are provided by the SC State Department of Education for parents, students and teachers to become familiar with the type of questions used in this test.

21. League Academy Parent Workshop #1
Thank you for coming!
League Academy
Parent Workshop #1
PACT Test Dates -April 29-May 3, 2002
Web Resources
Questions?

22. How to Live with an Adolescent!?
NEXT MONTH
League Academy
Parent Workshop #2
Next: February 26, 2002
How to Live with an Adolescent!?