NYS Assessment Overview for Parents: Supporting Student Success

1. NYS ELA & Math Assessment Overview Sponsored by:Highview PTA

2. THANK YOU! By being directly involved in the preparation process, parents become major contributors in helping their children succeed on New York State Assessments.

3. Purpose of the NYS Exams • To evaluate the implementation of the State and Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS) at the student, school, district, State and National levels • Provide information about students’ readiness for the next grade level • Help schools to identify students for whom they need to provide additional academic assistance • Help schools measure the effectiveness of their instructional programs and to measure yearly student progress through student learning objectives (SLOs)

4. CCLS The assessments are based on the State and Common Core Learning Standards. The test content mirrors the instruction being provided in the classrooms. Students have been given the opportunity to practice the test and question format through test-prep materials.

5. Dates of Exams • The ELA exam consists of 3 sections • administered on 3 consecutive days • (March 27-31, 2017) • The Math Exam consists of 3 sections • administered on 3 consecutive days • (May 1-5, 2017)

6. Day 1: ELA • In the Reading section of the English Language Arts Tests, students read two passages representing a variety of genres, totaling 18 MC questions. For each passage, students answer reading comprehension questions that demonstrate their understanding of the passages. • This section contains both fiction and nonfiction reading passages.

7. Day 2: ELA The students are required to read 1 passage and respond to the literature with 7 MC questions. This is followed by 2 additional passages with 2 SR questions, and 1 ER question. The questions are designed to demonstrate students’ understanding of the passage. Student responses will be evaluated on how well the writing addresses the task and demonstrates understanding of the passages. The students’ writing is scored based on a rubric.

8. Day 3: ELA The reading/writing section of the tests will be composed of 3 passages, 5 SR questions and 1 ER question. Students will be required to demonstrate knowledge of three passages. Again, the students’ writing is scored based on a rubric.

9. Break Down • Day 1 / Book 1 • 2 passages • 24 multiple-choice questions • Day 2 / Book 2 • 2 Passages • 7 multiple-choice questions • 2 short-response questions (2 pts.) • 1 extended-response questions (4 pts.) • Day 3 / Book 3 • 3 Passages • 5 short-response questions (2 pts.) • 1 extended-response question (4 pts.)

10. Rubric Enter Your Text Here

11. Rubric Enter Your Text Here

12. Math Days 1-3 Students apply the skills and knowledge gained in the classroom in order to answer three types of questions: multiple choice, short response, and extended response. Book 1 22 multiple choice questions Book 2 20 multiple choice questions Book 3 5 Short–Response Questions 3 Extended-Response Questions The students’ ability to respond and explain their answers is scored based on a rubric.

13. Break Down • 3 Days • 42 Multiple Choice Questions • 5 Short-Response Questions • (2 pts.) • 3 Extended-Response Questions • (3 pts.) • 50 Total Number of Questions

14. Rubric Enter Your Text Here

15. Rubric Enter Your Text Here

16. Home Support

17. What Can You Do? • The Top 10 Ways to Help Your Child • Prepare for Testing To help children prepare adequately for tests (teacher-made or standardized), you can do several things to provide support and create a positive test-taking experience.

18. Top 10... 10- If your child is nervous at test time, practice relaxation methods that work for your child. 9- Make sure that your child is in school during the testing sessions. Dress them in layers so they can adjust to the classroom/outdoor temperatures. 8- Do not plan any doctor or dental appointments on test dates. 7- Read to your child and ask them specific questions about what they read, not just “yes or no” questions. 6-Build your child’s reading/writing stamina. Increase reading/writing time weekly.

19. Top 10... • 5- Present a positive attitude toward the tests. • Let your child know that you have confidence in his or her abilities. Explain that some of the test questions may be difficult and that it does not matter if other students finish earlier. Let your child know it is okay to proceed at his or her own pace. 4- Encourage your child to listen carefully to all test-taking directions given by the teacher and to ask questions about any directions that are unclear. 3- See that your child gets at least 8 hours of sleep on the nights before the tests. Keep routines normal  2- Make sure that your child eats a well-balanced, healthy breakfast on the days of the tests. Hunger can detract from a good test performance. 1- Encourage your child to do his/her best! Be proud of them no matter what!

20. ELL/SPED Students • All ELL and Special Ed. students are required to take the NYS ELA and Mathematics exams. • ELL students will be tested in Mr. Polanco’s classroom with a proctor. • Students with special needs will test in a special location and receive other modifications in accordance with their IEP’s and 504 Plans.

21. Websites https://www.engageny.org/3-8 https://www.engageny.org/resource/new-york-state-common-core-sample-questions https://www.engageny.org/parent-family-library https://www.engageny.org/resource/parents-guide-to-student-success

22. Questions