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ASSESSMENT NIGHT M aryland S tate A ssessment ( Reading, Math & Science ). North Bend Elementary Middle Thursday, February 10, 2010 Grades: 3 - 8. By the end of tonight’s session, you will be more familiar with:. MSA Assessments (Reading, Math & Science)
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ASSESSMENT NIGHTMarylandStateAssessment(Reading, Math & Science) North Bend Elementary Middle Thursday, February 10, 2010 Grades: 3 - 8
By the end of tonight’s session, you will be more familiar with: • MSA Assessments (Reading, Math & Science) • Ways to support your child/children before, during and after testing
How Are We Preparing Students for Testing? • Test Preparation Instructional Block • Use of Test Preparation Materials • Curriculum that Covers the Targeted Skills and Objectives • Using our Benchmark Data to Guide our Instruction through Re-teaching • Mock Testing Sessions
When Will MSA Testing Take Place? • The Week of MARCH 9th – 13th • 16 SCHOOL DAYS AWAY!!! • Testing will begin at 9:00 a.m. • Boys and Girls MUST arrive on time otherwise they will not be tested with their class.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILD DURING TESTING? • At least 8 hours of sleep each night • A well balanced breakfast each morning. • Encouragement to do their best!!
MSA (Maryland School Assessment)WHAT IS IT?? • The MSA is a Reading, Mathematics and Science test given to Elementary & Middle school students. • Students in each grade take each test over two days – that is two days for Reading, two for Math and two for Science (Grades 5 & 8).
WHY IS THE MSA GIVEN? • It measures how well children are learning so that all stakeholders (parents, students, teachers, school administrators) can be sure that every child has the opportunity to succeed. • Under No Child Left Behind (NCLB) every state must measure READING, MATH and SCIENCE achievement at the Elementary, Middle, and High school levels.
What Does The MSA Test? • Content your child should have learned in reading, math and science classes. • The content is from the Maryland State Curriculum (MSC). (Visit MdKL12.org to see the MSC)
READING The READING tests three topic areas: • General Reading Processes • Informational Text Comprehension • Literary Text Comprehension
MATHEMATICS The MATH MSA tests : • Algebra/Patterns • Geometry/Measurement • Statistics/Probability • Number Concepts/Computation • Processes of Mathematics
What Does the Test Look Like? • The tests include multiple-choice and written-response questions. • Elementary Reading MSA Reading Release - Grade 3.pdf http://mdk12.org/assessments/k_8/index_c.html • Middle School Reading MSA Reading Release - Grade 7.pdf
What Does the Test Look Like? • Elementary Mathematics MSA Math Release - Grade 4.pdf • Middle School Mathematics MSA Reading Release - Grade 7.pdf
How is the MSA Scored? • Multiple-choice questions are scored by machine • Short answer questions are scored by at least two trained scorers. Scores are reported in terms of: • BASIC– a student is not meeting the standards • PROFICIENT– a student is meeting the standards • ADVANCED – a student is performing above standards
Are Students With Special Needs Tested? • Yes. They will be tested and given the necessary accommodations based on their IEPs. • MOD MSA • ALT-MSA
How Can I Help Prepare My Child For The MSA? • Talk with your child’s teachers regularly about your child’s progress & what you can do to help him or her improve. • Set HIGH expectations. Let them know that school is priority #1! • Dedicate time daily to talk with your child and read with him or her. • Provide a quiet place for your child to study. • Help your child with homework. • Show interest in what your child is doing at school. • Limit TV watching and Video-Game playing. • Encourage your child to eat a balanced breakfast.
When Will MSA Testing Take Place? • MARCH 8th – 23rd (Reading & Math) • MARCH 28th – 31st (Science) • 17SCHOOL DAYS AWAY!!! • Testing will begin at 8:45 a.m. • Boys and Girls MUST arrive ON TIME otherwise they will not be tested with their class. (Mathematics takes place one week and Reading the following week)