PARCCCMA Madison Elementary 2016 17 What is PARCC

PARCC/CMA Madison Elementary 2016 -17

What is PARCC? The PARCC states’ high quality assessments will allow parents and educators to see how children are progressing in school and whether they are on track for postsecondary success. The PARCC assessment also provides teachers with the ability to identify students who may be falling behind and need extra help. Los alumnos tomarán los exámenes estatales en las computadoras. Estos exámenes nos permiten ver como se comparán nuestros alumnos con alumnos en el país. También nos permite ver como les podemos ayudar a lograr sus metas.

What is PARCC? Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) is a group of 12 states and the District of Columbia that have worked together with thousands of teachers and education experts to develop a modern set of learning tools that assess and measure what a student knows and can do. Since 2010 states have adopted new, higher academic standards and teachers have begun teaching them in their daily instruction. • • • Honest, fair and transparent assessments were needed to align with the new standards and allow teachers and parents to open the door to student success. These carefully prepared tests are engaging for students and effectively measure achievement across all levels. The tests tell teachers, students and parents whether a student is on track for the next steps in their education and mark students’ progress from third grade up. Your logo here

What makes PARCC different? PARCC assessments: • Not only evaluate a student’s progress, but also show teachers and parents where a student needs help so they are able to personalize instruction to meet individual student needs. Will help ensure all students, regardless of income or family background, have equal access to a world-class education to prepare them for success in college and careers. Serve as an educational GPS system, assessing where a student currently is and the best route to get to where they need to be by graduation so they are career and college ready. Will help students achieve, which will lead to a better-educated workforce, stronger communities and a more competitive United States. Your logo here

The PARCC assessment system is designed to: • Measure problem-solving and critical thinking skills • Give timely feedback to teachers and students on strengths and weaknesses, allowing teachers to better meet student needs • Determine whether students are on track for college or career • Include a writing component at every grade level • Allow comparison across schools, districts and states. Se busca medir la abilidad de los alumnos para resolver problema y medir sus destrezas de pensamiento crítico. Se busca determinar cuales alumnos están en camino a la Universidad. Se busca mejorar la instrucción académica de los alumnos.

What makes PARCC different? It tests critical thinking, rather than rote memorization. The test goes well beyond the traditional bubble tests by measuring critical thinking and problem solving skills that are very important in college and the workforce. Other tests PARCC assessments Primarily use multiple-choice format that Allow students to submit answers and detailed responses, emphasizes memorization, “test prep” and guessing. eliminating guesswork and allowing students to show their thinking and knowledge. Test students’ rote learning. Assess students’ abilities to read carefully, communicate clearly and problem solve. Offer basic, one-step problems. Present challenging, multi-tiered problems. Are too vague to offer detailed insight to gauge Provide students, parents and educators detailed students’ readiness for the next step toward success. information so they can understand how students are progressing, where they need assistance and where they can be encouraged to do more. Your logo here

Technology All assessments will be given on line. We will have 2 computer labs set up. We have minimal time to test students. Please make every effort to send them to school on the days that they are testing. Todos los exámenes se tomarán en las computadoras. Se les pide que los alumnos no faltan puesto contamos con muy poco tiempo para asegurarnos de que todos nuestro alumnos tomen los exámenes.

Accessibility & Accommodations PARCC is committed to providing all students with access to high-quality assessments. For the assessment system as a whole, PARCC is committed to ensuring that all participating students, including students with disabilities, English learners, and English learners with disabilities, are able to engage in a meaningful and appropriate manner so valid results can be obtained for all students. PARCC está comprometido a que todos los alumnos independiente de lenguaje, habilidades cognitivas puedan lograr tomar exámenes que sean válidos.

What are the benefits of the PARCC assessments? �In ELA/literacy, many states don’t assess writing and few assess critical-thinking skills. PARCC will do both. Los exámenes PARCC evaluán la habilidad de pensar críticamente de los alumnos. �In math, most current assessments are fill-in-the-blank “bubble tests. ” PARCC will give students a chance to solve real problems. Plus, they’ll not only have to solve complex problems, but show they solved them. Los alumnos tienen que resolver problemas complejos y reales. Ya no llenan “a, b o c” o “Cierto o Falso” �Many current state tests measure only lower-level skills. The new assessments are designed to measure whether students are actually on track for college or careers. Muchos exámenes miden sólo destrezas bajas (recordar información). Hoy se busca ver si están listos para el colegio o estudios superiores. �Most current tests just require students to fill in the blanks. PARCC’s computerbased assessments will be much more interactive and engaging. Los exámenes de PARCC son interactivos y requieren de analisis, sintesis, aplicación, etc.

Are sample items available? �Sample items and tasks for math and ELA/literacy — along with a range of supplementary materials and additional resources are available at www. parcconline. org/samples/item-taskprototypes. New samples will be added over the coming months. Hay ejemplares en la red de los exámenes que los alumnos pueden tomar como práctica.

Sample Questions To take a practice PARCC test, go to http: //www. parcconline. org/take-the-test Your logo here

Pearson. Access. Next

Sample Questions Math Grade 4 Your logo here

Will students have opportunities to practice the tests? PARCC tests will mirror the kind of highquality work students are already doing in effective classrooms. In essence, “practice” should be occurring throughout the year. Los exámenes reflejan el tipo de examen que ya están tomando los alumnos durante el año escolar.

How quickly will assessment data be returned to teachers? PARCC’s goal is to have data from the performance-based assessment and end-ofyear assessment returned before the end of the school year. La meta de PARCC es que las escuelas reciban los resultados antes del fin del año escolar.

Time spent testing Students will engage in the tests a few days in early spring, and a few days in late spring. Most students will spend about four hours each on the mathematics and English language arts/literacy portions of the test throughout the year, totaling less than 1% of the school year. Those will be broken down into smaller units that will take about 40 to 60 minutes, though schools will schedule up to 90 minutes for each unit to make sure that all students have the time they need. Students with disabilities may have more time, as is called for in their Individualized Education Plan. Your logo here

Timeline Madison Elementary will be administering the online PARCC assessment to our 3 rd -5 th graders during the month of April. A schedule will be mailed to you. Attendance is critical, as we only have a 3 week window to test all students’. Los exámenes se empezarán la primera semana de abril. Los alumnos del 3 ro al 5 to año tomarán estos exámenes. Testing: April 3 rd- PARCC ELA & Math April 9 th CMA-Science 5 th only

Technology In (SCHOOL) students will take the PARCC assessments on (COMPUTER/PAPER/COMPUTER AND PAPER). PARCC states understand that in the 21 st century students need to have access to technology in the classroom throughout the year, not just at testing time, ensuring they are comfortable using the technology. The technology gives students independence and is more engaging, as it includes videos and interactive tools. Students are the drivers of their own testing experience which gives them confidence. PARCC is using Universal Design principles to make the new tests as accessible as possible to all students, including English learners and students with disabilities. Your logo here

Parent Score Report PARCC state leaders and educators have designed a detailed and clear student assessment report on how your student is progressing and where he or she needs assistance. • The PARCC score report uses clear icons and colors combined with information to explain results and resources for more information. • The report is intended to help you work with your student’s teachers and school officials to decide how best to support your student’s needs.

How You Can Support your Child Read a combination of fiction and non-fiction aloud or with your child. Look for subjects of interest – from sports heroes to dinosaurs. Discuss and “do” real life math with your child. Help him/her know basic math facts. Discuss the new tests with your child. Make sure he/she is not scared or anxious going into the new tests. Explain to your child that the tests will initially be more challenging. Tell your child to do his/her best on the test and that you are there to help every step of the way. After the test, review the results with your child. Bring the teacher into the discussion as needed. Provide a quiet, comfortable place for studying at home and make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and a nutritious breakfast before a test. Above all, be positive and encouraging about the tests. Your logo here

Additional Parent Resources PARCC offers information about the assessments including fact sheets, a glossary and sample test questions. (State or district) Resources www. pta. org/parents/content. cfm? Item. Number=2583 Great Schools offers Milestones, a free online collection of videos aimed at helping parents understand grade-level expectations in grades K-5. (Add state resources here) National Parent Teacher Association offers grade-by-grade parent guides for student success. Available in English and Spanish. http: //parcconline. org/for-parents http: //www. greatschools. org/gk/milestones/ America Achieves – Raise the Bar offers free parent resources to help children succeed in school. Must sign up. http: //raisethebarparents. org/raise-the-bar-for-your-child Your logo here

Questions? Preguntas Thank you for your attendance and support in this important matter. Gracias por su asistencia.