1. Parent Workshop Garnet Valley Elementary School Garnet Valley School District February 21, 2012

2.  The PSSA is a state assessment system in Reading, Mathematics, Writing and Science given each year to Pennsylvania’s public school students to measure students’ achievement of the Pennsylvania Assessment Anchor Content Standards.  Establishes AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) for each subject in grades 3-8 and 11. These target levels increase at set intervals until 2014.  ALL students must be 100% proficient by the year 2014.  Targets for 2012:  Math – 78% proficient or better  Reading – 81% proficient or better

3.  No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB)  Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA)  Achievement Levels:  Advanced  Proficient  Basic  Below Basic

4.  Monday – March 12 th – Mathematics  Tuesday – March 13 th – Reading  Wednesday – March 14 th – Mathematics  Thursday – March 15 th – Reading  Friday – March 16 th – MAKE-UP TESTING  Monday – March 19 th – Mathematics  Tuesday – March 20 th - Reading Schedule

5. Assessment Overview  Grade 3 Mathematics and Reading  Section 1: Mathematics- 24 MC and 2 OE questions with a suggested testing time of 55 to 65 minutes  Section 2: Reading- 24 MC and 1 OE with a suggested testing time of 70 to 80 minutes  Section 3: Mathematics- 24 MC and 1 OE with a suggested testing time of 50 to 60 minutes  Section 4: Reading- 18 MC and 1 OE with a suggested testing time of 50 to 60 minutes  Section 5: Mathematics- 24 MC and 1 OE with a suggested testing time of 50 to 60 minutes  Section 6: Reading- 16 MC and 1 OE with a suggested testing time of 45 to 55 minutes

6. Assessment Overview  Grades 4 and 5 Mathematics and Reading  Section 1: Mathematics- 24 MC and 2 OE questions with a suggested testing time of 55 to 65 minutes  Section 2: Reading- 24 MC,2 OE (Gr4),21 MC, 2 OE (Gr5) with a suggested testing time of 75 to 85 minutes  Section 3: Mathematics- 24 MC and 1 OE with a suggested testing time of 50 to 60 minutes  Section 4: Reading- 18 MC and 1 OE with a suggested testing time of 50 to 60 minutes  Section 5: Mathematics- 24 MC and 1 OE with a suggested testing time of 50 to 60 minutes  Section 6: Reading- 16 MC and 2 OE with a suggested testing time of 50 to 60 minutes

7. Assessment Overview  Grade 5 Writing Assessment  Section 1- 20 Multiple Choice questions with a suggested testing time of 45 to 55 minutes  Section 2- 1 Writing Prompt with a suggested testing time of 55 to 65 minutes  Section 3- 1 Writing Prompt with a suggested testing time of 55 to 65 minutes  Section 4- 1 Writing Prompt with a suggested testing time of 55 to 65 minutes

8. Assessment Overview  Grade 4 Science  Section 1- 34 MC and 3OE with a suggested testing time of 45 to 55 minutes  Section 2- 34 MC and 3 OE with a suggested testing time of 45 to 55 minutes

9.  Students read a passage and answer a series of multiple choice questions aligned to the story.  OE questions follow MC questions on some responses. OE questions require an essay like response.  Example: http://www.pde.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pe nnsylvania_system_of_school_assessment_%28pssa%29/87 57/resource_materials/507610

10.  Students complete a series of MC questions covering material from their grade level curriculum.  OE questions: Students must be able to explain both what they did, how it was done and why.  Example : http://www.pde.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/com munity/pennsylvania_system_of_school_assessme nt_%28pssa%29/8757/resource_materials/507610

11.  Passage with MC questions  Writing Prompt – Plan, Write and Proofread  Persuasive  Narrative  Informational  Example:  http://www.pde.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pennsylvani a_system_of_school_assessment_%28pssa%29/8757/resource_mat erials/507610 http://www.pde.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pennsylvani a_system_of_school_assessment_%28pssa%29/8757/resource_mat erials/507610

12. Four reporting categories  Nature of Science  Biological Science  Physical Science  Earth and Space Science  Test Composition  50% Nature of Science (Inquiry)  50% Biological, Physical and Earth and Space Science (Content)  Example: http://www.pde.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pennsylvania_syste m_of_school_assessment_%28pssa%29/8757/resource_materials/507610 http://www.pde.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pennsylvania_syste m_of_school_assessment_%28pssa%29/8757/resource_materials/507610

13. GVES’s History Grade 3 : 2009: Reading 93% Math 94% 2010: Reading 94%Math 98% 2011: Reading 91%Math 97% Grade 4 : 2009: Reading93%Math95% 2010: Reading95%Math 98% 2011: Reading94%Math97% Grade 5 : 2009: Reading92%Math 89% 2010: Reading88%Math91% 2011: Reading95%Math 91%

14.  Staff have refocused content/teaching to make sure they cover all of the standards/anchors.  Instruction must be streamlined and consolidated in order to cover the required content before testing in March.  Remediation groups implemented to address individual concerns with reading  Odyssey– reinforce math skills previously introduced and currently being taught  District and individual schools are assessed based on performance levels.

15.  Reinforce the importance of student effort during the school day for each day of testing.  Review/discuss homework and tests with your child each night. Have them explain both what they did and how they arrived at an answer.  Make sure students arrive on time each day. Consistent absence and tardiness prevents a smooth transition of knowledge and skills.

16.  Make sure your child is present each day of testing  Make sure your child has a good night’s sleep each night  Make sure your child has a good breakfast each morning  Continue to support and encourage students to work to their fullest potential