What is PARCC Partnership for Assessment of Readiness

What is PARCC? Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Career High quality, computer-based K– 12 assessments in Mathematics and ELA/Literacy that will inform teachers, schools, students, and parents as to whether students’ are on track in their learning. PARCC assessments will be administered during the 2014 -15 school year.

Standards vs. Curriculum What are academic standards? Academic standards describe the knowledge and skills a student needs to acquire by the end of each school year. What is curriculum? Curriculum is the school district’s plan for day-to-day teaching of the concepts contained in the standards.

Connecting the Pieces SGOs PARCC Instruction

How We Are Preparing for ELA? Teach the Common Core Standards! Reading and writing in all content areas, including Social Studies and Science. Focus on evidence-based statements. Provide opportunities to see the assessment platform and its features. Our district PARCC website for parents, students and educators.

Common Core State Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science & Technical Subjects Ø The CCSS provide instructional focus for Literacy in Science, Social Studies and Technical Subjects Ø PARCC assesses not just ELA, but a full range of reading and writing across the disciplines of science and social studies.

PARCC SS/Science Content PARCC does not directly assess your child’s science or social studies content, but it does reflect assessment of Standards for Literacy in Science/Technical Subjects and History/Social Studies. PARCC will use a variety of science/technical and history/social studies texts; and thus, our classroom preparation has this aim.

Monroe’s PARCC Website

The Assessment Terms PBA (Performance-Based Assessment) 70% of the school year March 3 rd – March 27 th EOY (End of Year) 90% of the school year April 27 th – May 22 nd

English Language Arts Performance-Based Assessments Research Simulation Literary Analysis Narrative Texts/ Sources 3 sources - Text - Video - Charts or graphs - Artwork or photography 2 literary texts - Short stories - Novel excerpts - Poems 1 narrative text - Short story - Novel excerpt Answers Multiple choice Written response integrating sources Written response

Technology Elementary and Middle School will be using laptops and headphones. High School will be using i. Pads with wireless keyboards and ear buds. Accessibility features for all students, including: Highlighting Answer elimination Digital notepad Spell check Drop down menus for math tools

ELA PBA Task Literary Analysis Students are presented with excerpts from two novels, The Count of Monte Cristo and Blessings. Reading comprehension Students respond to multiple choice questions about vocabulary, setting, characters, and other literary elements. Literary elements Students prepare one prose constructed response (PCR). In this sample, students must identify a them in each work and analyze how theme is developed. Analysis of literature and writing to text

Science Example Social Studies Example Anchor Text: Students read: Article on DNA Fingerprinting Anchor Text: Students read: A letter from Abigal Adams to John Adams Sequences of questions are used to draw students into deeper encounters with texts. Then… Students write an essay framed around a claim they craft, based on text evidence. Supporting Research 2 Primary source letters Students analyze all 3 documents, then craft an essay connecting all three pieces of evidence.

Preparing Your Child At Home Language Arts Read and view multiple sources on the same subject (read an article about sharks and then watch a part of a documentary). Ask your child questions about what they have read, watched or listened to; ask them “how” and “why” questions. Sustained independent reading on a daily basis with a variety of text types. Use Study Island for additional practice. Typing Club (online) This and other resources can be found on the district’s PARCC website.

General Information Ø PARCC is meant to be a tool to help teachers drive instruction Ø No opting out for the PARCC Ø Link to PARCC for parents and students on district website; Q and A questions Ø Study Island – technology based Ø Cannot prep for this type of assessment – it is about being immersed in the common core throughout the entire year Ø http: //parcgames. com/ PARCC examples