K-PREP Parent Information Night

1. K-PREP Parent Information Night Grant’s Lick Elementary May 1st, 2012

2. What is K-PREP? • K-PREP stands for Kentucky Performance Rating for Educational Progress. • It is part of Kentucky’s new accountability system: Unbridled Learning. • K-PREP replaces the Kentucky Core Content Test (KCCT) as Kentucky’s state assessment.

3. What is the reason for the change? • In 2009, Kentucky legislators passed Senate Bill 1, which required changes in our public education system. • In 2011-12, Kentucky became the first state in the nation to teach and test students on the new, more rigorous Common Core Standards. • The Campbell County Schools were even MORE ahead of the game and started using the new standards for instruction during the 2010-11 school year!

4. Remember: We can’t compare apples and oranges! (This can NOT be compared to our performance in the past!)

5. How will student performance be used for school accountability? Elementary schools’ scores will be based on achievement (40%), gap (30%), & growth (30%). Achievement: Students’ scores will still be labeled as Distinguished, Proficient, Apprentice, or Novice. Gap: Schools will compare test results for minority, special education, low income, and limited English proficiency students to results for students who aren’t in those categories. Growth: A statistical program will measure how much students’ scores are improving from year to year. Scores for all 3 areas will be weighted & tallied to produce an overall score from 0-100.

6. How will we be compared to other districts/schools in the state? • Each school and district will have an annual goal to reach based on how much improvement is needed to reach the BIG goal of 100. (This year’s scores will serve as a baseline score.) • Overall district and school scores will be ranked in order and will fall into one of four classifications: • Distinguished – Top 10% (90th percentile) • Proficient – Top 30% (70th percentile) • Progressing – Districts/schools meeting their annual goal but not designated as Distinguished or Proficient • Needs Improvement – remaining districts/schools

7. Again…Remember: We can’t compare apples and oranges! (This can NOT be compared to our performance in the past!)

8. Who takes K-PREP? • ALL students in grades 3-8 • 3rd Grade – Reading & Math • 4th Grade – Reading, Math, Science, & Language Mechanics • 5th Grade – Reading, Math, Social Studies, & On-Demand Writing

9. K-PREP Testing Window • Monday – Friday, May 7th – 11th Make-up Days: May 14th – 17th • Testing will begin each day at 9:00am. • Testing times range from 25-75 minutes. • Students will be given a “brain break” between sessions. • Healthy snacks will be provided before testing each morning and between tests. • (Snacks provided courtesy of Nurse Sandy and the Fuel Up to Play 60 Grant!)

10. Test Format • K-PREP consists of norm-referenced tests (NRT) and criterion-referenced tests (CRT). • The norm-referenced sections include national norms and consist of multiple choice questions. • The criterion-referenced sections are customized for Kentucky and consist of multiple choice, short answer, and extended response items. (The 3rd grade tests do not include extended response items.) • The on-demand writing test (5th grade) consists of one stand alone writing prompt and one passage-based writing prompt.

11. Sample Multiple Choice Question: Math – 4th grade (K-PREP Samples – KDE Website) George collected 489 rocks for his science project. Matthew collected 100 fewer than George. How many rocks did Matthew collect? • 389 • 479 • 589 • 379

12. Sample Short Answer Question Math – 5th grade (K-PREP Samples – KDE Website) Mara needs to buy 2 pieces of rope to hang a swing. Each piece of rope must be 10 FEET long. The rope is only sold in lengths that are whole numbers of YARDS. What is the LEAST number of YARDS of rope Mara must buy to make the swing? Show your work or explain your thinking.

13. Sample On-Demand Writing Prompt 5th Grade(K-PREP Samples – KDE Website) Situation: Leaders in your county are considering a law that would require all dog owners to keep their dogs on their property or on leashes while out in public. The county has received many complaints in the last month about dogs running across busy streets, into neighbors’ yards, and through elementary playgrounds. Some citizens have expressed fears for their safety. If this law is passed, anyone who breaks the law will have to pay a fine. County leaders are seeking public opinion as they consider this law. Writing directions: Decide if you think this law is a good idea. Write an email to the county leaders giving your opinion about whether this law is necessary or not. Use specific details to support your opinion.

14. Aiming for Proficiency! Score Levels: • Distinguished • Proficient • Apprentice • Novice We usually receive the results in mid to late September, but it may be later due to the changes.

15. Testing Tips for Families • Make sure your child gets plenty of rest the night before the test. • Feed your child a hearty, healthy breakfast. It should include protein and exclude sugary foods.

16. As always, perfect attendance is very important! Do not schedule appointments for students during the testing window. • Make sure that your child arrives at school on time and doesn’t feel rushed in the morning.

17. Be positive! Encourage your child to take the test seriously and do his or her best. • Remind your child to read the test questions carefully, not to rush through the test, and to check his or her answers. • Talk to your child about the test. Help him or her feel confident, relaxed, and successful!

18. We are excited to see the growth that our Cardinals have made this year! Campbell County Schools: “We are in the continuous improvement business!”