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A New Vision of AssessmentTexts Worth Reading

Problems Worth Solving

Tests Worth Taking February 10, 2014 Wyckoff K-5 Teachers

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What Is PARCC?

The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers: Made up of 19 states Developing common, high-quality

math and English language arts (ELA) tests for grades 3–11Computer-based and linked to what students need to know

for college and careers For use starting in the 2014–15 school year

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Why New Assessments Now?

We have to prepare all students for college or other postsecondary opportunities:

A high school diploma isn’t enough in our 21st century economy

81% of today’s jobs require college or career training

1/3 of college freshmen need remedial courses

Our K–12 system is not adequately preparing students for college

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Personal Benefits: Higher Earnings and Higher Employment Rates

Bachelor’s & Above

Some College

High School Graduate

High School Dropout

5%

9%

12%

20%

$60,845

$30,171

$24,854

$10,308

Mean IncomeUnemployment Rate

Source: U.S. Census Bureau (2011). Current Population Survey. Figures are based on the total persons in the civilian labor force. http://www.census.gov/cps/data/cpstablecreator.html

Current state assessments were not designed to: Assess and signal whether students are on track for

success in college or careers Produce timely, actionable data for students, teachers

and parents Test key skills, such as critical thinking and ability to

problem solve

Why New Assessments Now?

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Why New Assessments Now?

The Common Core State Standards are here: States are implementing these

standards for ELA/literacy and math

Better standards require better tests High-quality tests improve and inform

instruction — they don’t detract from it

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Unlike many current tests, PARCC tests will be engaging

and will test the critical-thinking and problem-solving skills students need to succeed

in school and life.

Why New Assessments Now?

1. Determine whether students are college and career ready or on track

2. Connect to the Common Core State Standards

3. Measure the full range of student performance, including that of high- and low-achieving students

4. Provide educators data throughout the year to inform instruction

5. Create innovative 21st century, technology-based assessments

6. Be affordable and sustainable

PARCC Priorities

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How Will PARCC Be Different?

Increased competitiveness in a global economy

Higher achievement levels and more opportunities for all students

Greater comparability between states Higher college completion, lower remedial rates Better educated citizens

Help advance our goals:

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How Will PARCC Be Different?

Students: Will know if they are on track to graduate ready for college/careers

Teachers: Will have access to timely data to guide learning and instruction

Parents: Will have clear and timely information about student progress

States: Will have valid results that are comparable across borders

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How Will PARCC Be Different?

For students: Test quality will mirror

high-quality coursework

Is computer-based, interactive, engaging

Measures the skills and knowledge students need to succeed in college and careers

Produces timely information, allowing teachers to tailor instruction to students’ needs

Includes embedded supports for English language learners, students with disabilities

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How Will PARCC Be Different?

For teachers and schools: Computer-based testing will boost

student engagement and access

More efficient than pencil-and-paper tests

Timely data during the year will aid instruction, professional development

Tests will assess the full range of student performance, not just students in the middle

Tests will measure student growth at all levels as well as focusing on proficiency

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Getting All Students College and Career Ready

K–2 Grades 3–8 HighSchool

Voluntary K–2 assessment being

developed, aligned to the Common Core State

Standards

Timely data showing whether ALL students

are on track for college and career readiness

College readiness score to identify who is ready for college-level

coursework

Success In first-year,

credit-bearing, postsecondary

coursework

Targeted interventions and supports:

• State-developed 12th-grade bridge courses

Ongoing student support/interventions

Professional development for educators

AssessmentsELA/Literacy and Mathematics, Grades 3–11

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Beginning of School Year

End of School Year

DiagnosticAssessment

Mid-Year Assessment

Performance-Based

Assessment

End-of-Year Assessment

Speaking and Listening

Assessment

Optional Required

Key:

Flexible administration

Optional Assessments During the Year

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DiagnosticAssessment

Mid-Year Assessment

Flexible administration

Performance-based items and tasks

Emphasis on hard-to-measure standards

Individual states may consider including as a summative component

Flexible indicator of student knowledge and skills

Allows instruction, supports and professional development to be tailored to improve student learning

Beginning of School Year

End of School Year

Two Required Assessments Yield Overall Score

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Performance-Based

Assessment

End-of-Year Assessment

After 90 percent of the school year

Innovative, short-answer items ELA/literacy: Reading

comprehension Math: Short items that

address both concepts and skills

After 75 percent of the school year

Extended tasks, applications of concepts and skills ELA/literacy: Writing

effectively when analyzing text, research simulation

Math: Solving multistep problems requiring abstract reasoning, precision, perseverance and strategic use of tools

Beginning of School Year

End of School Year

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Higher Expectations

ELA/Literacy

Read sufficiently complex texts independently

Write effectively to sources

Build and present knowledge through research

Math

Solve problems: content and mathematical practice

Reason mathematically

Model real-world problems

Have fluency with mathematics

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Item Glossary

Evidence-Based Selected Response (EBSR): The term refers to a type of ELA/literacy test item that asks students to show the evidence in a text that led them to a previous answer. Prose Constructed Response (PCR): This term refers to a specific item type on the PARCC ELA/literacy assessments in which students are required to produce written prose in response to a test prompt. These measure reading and writing claims.

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Item Glossary

Technology-Enhanced Constructed Response (TECR): This ELA/literacy item uses technology to capture student comprehension of texts in authentic ways that have been historically difficult to capture using current assessments. Examples include using drag and drop, cut and paste, and highlight text features.

Third Grade Example• You have read two texts about famous people

in American history who solved a problem by working to make a change

• Write an article for your school newspaper describing how Eliza and Carver faced challenges to change something in America

• In your article, be sure to describe in detail why some solutions they tried worked and others did not work

• Tell how the challenges each one faced were the same and how they were different

Third Grade Example• Read the writing prompt below and

complete the writing activity:• Jump out of bed! Look out the window!

It is a perfect weather day! • Write a story about a day when the

weather seemed perfect

See the PARCC difference for yourselfOld Test vs. New Test

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Writing prompt on an old, outgoing state test PARCC writing prompt

Old Test vs. New Test

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See the PARCC difference for yourself

5th Grade ExampleMr. Edmunds shared 12 pencils among his four sons as follows:• Alan received 1/3 of the pencils• Bill received 1/4 of the pencils• Carl received more than 1 pencil• David received more pencils than CarlPART A: On the number line, represent the fraction of the total number of pencils that was given to both Alan and Bill combined. Use the buttons on the right to increase or decrease the number of equal sections on the number line.

PART B. What fraction of the total number of pencils did Carl and David each receive? Justify your answer.

5th Grade ExampleThe town of La Paz, Bolivia, is in the Andes mountains. Which of these units could be used to describe the distance of the town of La Paz above sea level?

A. DegreesB. FeetC. Cubic InchesD. Pounds

Math outgoing state test PARCC test

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Math: Grade 3 Sample Item

• This a fairly traditional fraction task in a computer-based setting.

• Unlike traditional multiple choice, it is difficult to guess the correct answer or use a choice elimination strategy and there is more than one correct solution.

• Unlike paper and pencil tests, students can create a visual representation even though the task is scored automatically.

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Math: Grade 3 Sample Item

• Second part of multi-step problem, and, unlike traditional multiple choice, it is difficult to guess the correct answer or use a choice elimination strategy.

• 1st Operational Assessment-Spring Administration of PBS and EOY

• Student Performance Levels ands Associated Cut Scores for all Grades and College-Career-Ready Determination(Standard-Setting)

Spring & Summer 2015

• All children have unique learning styles and needs

• Technology offers new and exciting ways to increase accessibility for all students

Accessibility in Your Classroom

What’s New:•Common accommodations and participation policies for students with disabilities, English learners, and English learners with disabilities. •Technology •Accessibility features for all students•Increased involvement of all teachers in identifying tools

What’s Similar:•Role of the IEP teams and English learner teams •Many accommodations currently used in states

Common Standards – Common Expectations – Common Access

Accessibility Features for All Students

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Conclusion

College or postsecondary career and technical training is essential to earning sustainable wages

All high school graduates should be ready to enroll in college courses or similar technical coursework without remediation

PARCC assessments will aid student learning, not detract from it

We must measure what children learn in school, but we must measure with meaningful assessments

In PARCC, students will engage with texts worth reading, problems worth solving, and tests worth taking

General Resources

General PARCC Websitehttp://www.parcconline.org/

General Field Test Websitehttp://www.parcconline.org/field-test

Accommodations Manualhttp://www.parcconline.org/parcc-accessibility-features-and-accommodations-manual

Teaching Channel Videoshttps://www.teachingchannel.org/videos?page=1&categories=topics_common-core

Achieve the Corehttp://www.achievethecore.org/

PARCC Glossary of Termshttp://www.parcconline.org/sites/parcc/files/PARCCGlossary07-01-13.pdf

NJ Educator Resource Exchangehttp://njcore.org/

ELA

ELA PARCC Frameworkshttp://www.parcconline.org/mcf/ela/parcc-model-content-frameworks-browser?field_eladimensions_tid%5B%5D=137&body_value=

Sample Test Items-PdF versions on left side menuhttp://www.parcconline.org/samples/item-task-prototypes

Sample Computer Based Sample Items and Tutorialhttp://practice.parcc.testnav.com/#

Performance Level Descriptorshttp://www.parcconline.org/ela-plds

Speaking and Listening-in developmenthttp://www.parcconline.org/sites/parcc/files/SpeakingAndListening_July2013Overview.pdf

ELA Rubrics

Grade 3 CONDENSED SCORING RUBRIC FOR PROSE CONSTRUCTED RESPONSE ITEMS http://www.parcconline.org/sites/parcc/files/Grade3-CondensedRubric.pdf

Grade 4-5 CONDENSED SCORING RUBRIC FOR PROSE CONSTRUCTED RESPONSE ITEMS http://www.parcconline.org/sites/parcc/files/Grade4-5-ELACondensedRubricFORANALYTICANDNARRATIVEWRITING.pdf

ELA Resources

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Mathematics

PARCC Mathematics Frameworkshttp://www.parcconline.org/mcf/mathematics/parcc-model-content-frameworks-browser

Sample Test Items-PdF versions on left side menuhttp://www.parcconline.org/samples/item-task-prototypes

Sample Computer Based Sample Items and Tutorialhttp://practice.parcc.testnav.com/#

Illustrative Mathematicshttp://www.illustrativemathematics.org/

Performance Level Descriptorshttp://www.parcconline.org/math-plds

Math Resources

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