EOG Parent Information Session

1. EOG Parent Information Session March 1, 2012 Jeffreys Grove Elementary

2. What? State tests administered to all 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders during the last few weeks of school. Content areas tested: Reading + Math, 5th graders also take a Science EOG Tests occur over consecutive days Covers content from our NC Standard Course of Study

3. Why do we test? To measure student growth test scores alone do not determine promotion/retention Measure school performance Determine effectiveness of programs in our system Accountability

4. When? Reading EOG Wednesday, May 16th Math (Calculator Active) Thursday, May 17th Math (No Calculators) Friday, May 18th Science (5th grade only) Tuesday, May 22th This year our 5th graders will be involved in Field Testing next year’s Reading EOG. This decision has been made by DPI. Jeffreys Grove 5th graders will take the Reading EOG that will test the English and Language Arts Common Core Standards. This field test will occur the week of April 16th and more information will go home to our 5th grade parents by the end of March.This year our 5th graders will be involved in Field Testing next year’s Reading EOG. This decision has been made by DPI. Jeffreys Grove 5th graders will take the Reading EOG that will test the English and Language Arts Common Core Standards. This field test will occur the week of April 16th and more information will go home to our 5th grade parents by the end of March.

5. How? Testing occurs in a secure setting Students with an Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), LEPs, or 504s are afforded test accommodations specified in their plans. Secure setting meaning a trained test administrator and proctor in each classroom. Test administrators and proctors are trained a couple of weeks prior to the test. Parents are not allowed to proctor in the same classroom their child is in or if possible not on the same grade level. Secure setting meaning a trained test administrator and proctor in each classroom. Test administrators and proctors are trained a couple of weeks prior to the test. Parents are not allowed to proctor in the same classroom their child is in or if possible not on the same grade level.

6. How Long is the Test? Reading-158 minutes, 58 items Math Calculator Active- 153 minutes, 54 items Math- without calculators- 75 minutes, 28 items Science- 148 minutes, 80 items All students are afforded extended time if they need it. Extended time is given to all students, with parameters, there is a maximum time allotted, students have to break for lunch, and conclude the test session on the same day. There are two 2- 3 minute stretch breaks built into the testing for Reading, Science, and Calculator Active Math, The shorter math subtest has 1- 3 minute stretch break. When students need extra time after the afforded time limit has expired, students are removed from their test session and relocated to an “overflow setting”. Students continue testing with other students who are also in need of extra time to complete the test. This test setting is administered by a different test administrator and proctor. Extended time is given to all students, with parameters, there is a maximum time allotted, students have to break for lunch, and conclude the test session on the same day. There are two 2- 3 minute stretch breaks built into the testing for Reading, Science, and Calculator Active Math, The shorter math subtest has 1- 3 minute stretch break. When students need extra time after the afforded time limit has expired, students are removed from their test session and relocated to an “overflow setting”. Students continue testing with other students who are also in need of extra time to complete the test. This test setting is administered by a different test administrator and proctor.

7. Where Can I Find Test Examples? Released test questions are located at http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/accountability/ More information can be found at www.wcpss.net

8. When will I get scores? Letters will be sent home Friday, May 25th

9. Who has to take a retest? All students scoring a level 2 in any area. Students who score an achievement level of 1 can be included in the Retest. Retests will begin after Memorial day, May 30th- Wednesday. “Opt In” letters will be sent home prior to the start of testing. Without parental consent in writing, we cannot retest students scoring an achievement level of a 1 in any area. Retests will begin after Memorial day, May 30th- Wednesday. “Opt In” letters will be sent home prior to the start of testing. Without parental consent in writing, we cannot retest students scoring an achievement level of a 1 in any area.

10. EOG Misconceptions… EOGs are used solely to determine whether a student is promoted to the next grade level. EOGs are optional. EOGs can be taken early. Students identified as AG should score an achievement level of a 4 on EOGs.

11. During the school year… Healthy sleep and eating habits Conference with your child’s teacher Talk about what he/she is learning in school Review completed homework assignments Good Attendance at school Make up any missed work Encourage your child to read daily and ask questions about what he/she is reading Ways to help your child throughout the school year… Ways to help your child throughout the school year…

12. Test Taking Strategies Jot notes Read all directions carefully  Don’t get stuck on a question Check for accuracy if time permits Use relaxation techniques Take deep breaths Stretch during test breaks

13. 12 Powerful Words Analyze Evaluate Describe Infer Support Explain Summarize Compare Contrast Predict Trace Formulate Research by Larry Bell supports that when students have a solid understanding of what the test is asking them to do, students perform better. Bell has identified 12 “power” words that are tied to Bloom’s Taxonomy. These are the words that stump students when they take standardized tests. Students may feel intimidated or confused by these words causing them to answer a question incorrectly when they know the answer. These are: Research by Larry Bell supports that when students have a solid understanding of what the test is asking them to do, students perform better. Bell has identified 12 “power” words that are tied to Bloom’s Taxonomy. These are the words that stump students when they take standardized tests. Students may feel intimidated or confused by these words causing them to answer a question incorrectly when they know the answer. These are:

14. How Can I Help My Child Prepare? Using Study Island at home! Your child has access to it from any computer with internet. i-Ready subscriptions for all 3rd-5th graders available after Spring Break Study Island is an online resource that offers students practice EOG opportunities. We have acquired a subscription for all of our upper grade studentsStudy Island is an online resource that offers students practice EOG opportunities. We have acquired a subscription for all of our upper grade students

15. What if my child doesn’t pass an EOG? Retest all areas students score an Achievement Level of a 2 in If your child scores a “1” there will have been a letter sent home prior to EOGs asking your consent to retest in the area in which that score was received. In the event that your child doesn’t pass an area of the EOG, he/ she will be included in a retest.In the event that your child doesn’t pass an area of the EOG, he/ she will be included in a retest.

16. What is the school staff doing to support students? Formative Assessments Reteaching Building stamina Flexible grouping Academic Achievement Academy I-Ready subscriptions coming soon? AG teacher co-teaching and collaborating with teachers Formative Assessments- allow teachers to guage learning and drive/ form instruction. When these assessments are given in a pre/post format, teachers can easily measure growth in regards to particular skills and objectives. Reteaching skills or objectives students have demonstrated proficiency on. Many of our objectives “spiral” and when they do, we can provide opportunities to reteach objectives by offering an extra opportunity for students that have not mastered it or an enrichment opportunity for students that did. Stamina- Building stamina occurs in all grade levels. In K, kindergartners are building stamina by learning what it “looks like” when they are focused and reading. In 3rd -5th grade, we build stamina by purposefully offering students longer passages or texts to read. EOG passages can be lengthy and when students have not had the opportunity to practice or build stamina, they easily lose focus or attention. Flex grouping across grade level or within classroom. Formative Assessments- allow teachers to guage learning and drive/ form instruction. When these assessments are given in a pre/post format, teachers can easily measure growth in regards to particular skills and objectives. Reteaching skills or objectives students have demonstrated proficiency on. Many of our objectives “spiral” and when they do, we can provide opportunities to reteach objectives by offering an extra opportunity for students that have not mastered it or an enrichment opportunity for students that did. Stamina- Building stamina occurs in all grade levels. In K, kindergartners are building stamina by learning what it “looks like” when they are focused and reading. In 3rd -5th grade, we build stamina by purposefully offering students longer passages or texts to read. EOG passages can be lengthy and when students have not had the opportunity to practice or build stamina, they easily lose focus or attention. Flex grouping across grade level or within classroom.

17. We NEED your help! We are recruiting proctors for our EOGs. Proctors need to attend a brief training and have been approved as a WCPSS volunteer. Proctor Training Monday, April 30th 9:30 and 4:00 Thursday, May 3rd 8:45 and 1:00

18. Questions? If you have additional questions, please email your child’s teacher at a later time.

19. Thank you for coming!