1. NEW TEST Q&A Amelia Brailsford Office of Assessment

2. How is the new test going to be different than PACT?  PACT  Four tests: ELA, mathematics, science, social studies.  All tests in May.  All tests a combination of multiple-choice and constructed-response items.  New Test  Five tests: Writing, ELA, mathematics, science, social studies.  Writing in March; all other tests in May.  Except for Writing, multiple- choice, only.

3. How is the new test going to be different than PACT? (Cont.)  PACT  Read aloud at grade 3  Total scores for each test.  Scores reported at four levels: Below Basic, Basic, Proficient, and Advanced.  New Test  No tests to be read aloud  Reports will include information at the standard-level as well as total scores.  Scores reported at three levels: Not Met, Met, and Exemplary

4. Will science and social studies continue census testing at the same grade level? Science and social studies –Grades 4 and 7 take both –Grades 3, 5, 6, and 8 take either

5. How will the standard-level information be reported? Current thinking – not scaled scores Similar to HSAP reporting

6. How are questions being developed? Contract with Pearson Item writers trained to our standards/support documents. Review by SDE. Review by content/bias review committees.

7. Will there be a new writing rubric? Currently working with a committee Recommending revisions to current rubric Revision are primarily in the conventions domain http://ed.sc.gov/agency/Accountability/Ass essment/NewAssessmentProgramGr3- 8./writing

8. When will we see sample items for the new test? http://ed.sc.gov/agency/Accountability/Ass essment/NewAssessmentProgramGr3-8./

9. When will cut-scores be established for the new test? Summer of 2009 Scores available fall of 2009 Education Oversight Committee

10. How will the new test be used to meet federal requirements?  Student Performance Levels  Exemplary – Exemplary performance in meeting grade level standards.  Met – Met grade level standards.  Not Met – Did not meet grade level standards.  For reporting AYP, students scoring at the Met and Exemplary level will be considered proficient.

11. EOCEP Current Tests: Algebra 1/Mathematics for the Technologies 2, English 1, United States History and the Constitution, and Physical Science Biology –Fieldtest: spring 2008, spring 2009 –Administer: beginning fall 2009 Continue to administer physical science until Biology approved by federal Peer Review for use with NCLB

12. Contact Information Amelia Brailsford – abrailsf@ed.sc.govabrailsf@ed.sc.gov