State and Local Assessments Sept. 30, 2010 12:00 and 6:00 p.m. Berkmar Middle School Parent Center/Cafeteria Sponsored by BMS Parent Center Faciliator:

“State and Local Assessments”

Sept. 30, 201012:00 and 6:00 p.m.

Berkmar Middle School

Parent Center/Cafeteria

Sponsored by BMS Parent Center

Faciliator: Melissa Martin, PISC

State and Local Assessments

State and Local Assessments

Understanding Assessments and Promotion Requirements for 6th, 7th, 8th grade

Purpose of GCPS Assessments

Are students learning the Academic Knowledge and Skills – GCPS (AKS)?

Are students learning the Criterion Referenced Competency Test – Georgia (CRCT)?

• Test scores are used for: Students – to promote success and improvement

Parents – to assure parents students are learning required curriculumTeachers – to plan for effective instruction

Student’s scores are compared against students in Gwinnett, Georgia, & Nationally

Assessments…….

• Are part of a daily routine

• Have many formats

• Help students review and retain knowledge!

Students demonstrate what they know and can do through

Assessments.

Middle GradesFormal Assessments

*Promotion Criteria

Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

CRCT – E/LA, RDG, MA, SC,

& SS

CRCT – E/LA*, RDG *, MA*,

SC*, & SS*

CRCT – E/LA ,Rdg*, MA* SC,

& SS

ACCESS for ELL students

ACCESS for ELL students

*Gateway/Georgia Grade 8 Writing

ITBS & CogAT Complete Battery

EOCT - Algebra

ACCESS for ELL students

MIDDLE SCHOOL TESTING DATES• Sept. 20–24, 2010 Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)

Grade 8• Oct. 18–22, 2010 Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS)

Grade 8• Jan. 19, 2011 Georgia Writing Assessment Grade 8• Jan. 24–March 4, 2011 ACCESS for ELLs • April 18–21 and April 25, 2011 Georgia Criterion-

Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) – Grades 6–8

• May 2–20, 2011 Georgia End of Course Test Window – Grade 8 – Accelerated Integrated Algebra I

6th Grade Promotion Requirements

• Pass 4 out of 5 classes with a 70 average for both semesters.

• 2 of the 4 classes passed have to be LA and MA• Connections classes being averaged as one grade

each semester. • Summer school may be available if a student does

not earn promotion to 7th grade.• Students are expected to meet or exceed grade-level

expectations on each CRCT subtest to be on track for success in school.

Note: For 6th grade Special Ed or ESOL students

• A special education student’s promotion is determined by his or her Individualized Education Program (IEP).

• Promotion for a student with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) is determined by his or her AKS Modification and Intervention Plan.

7th Grade Promotion Requirements

• Pass CRCT mathematics• Pass CRCT reading• Pass CRCT language arts• Pass CRCT science • Pass CRCT social studies • If the student fails a subject on the test and has

received at least a C semester average on the report card all year in that subject, an appeal can be filed by the school on the student’s behalf.

Note: For 7th Grade Special Ed or ESOL students

• A special education student’s promotion is determined by his or her Individualized Education Program (IEP).

• Promotion for a student with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) is determined by his or her AKS Modification and Intervention Plan, or by recommendation of the English Language Learner

(ELL)/Test Participation Committee.

8th Grade Promotion Requirements

• Pass 4 out of 5 classes with a 70 average for 2 semesters ( LA and math must be 2 of the 4.) Connections classes being averaged as one grade each semester.

• Pass CRCT Rdg * State Requirement• Pass CRCT Math * State Requirement• Pass Gateway/Georgia 8 Writing Test—Jan. 19,

2011• If the student fails Rdg/LA and/or Math on the CRCT

they will be required to take the Summer CRCT retest for promotion.

• For students who do not pass the summer retest there is the possibility of a review for promotion to 9th Grade

Note for 8th Grade Special Ed or ESOL students

• A special education student’s promotion is determined by his or her Individualized Education Program (IEP).

• If a student learning English is not successful on the Reading and Mathematics CRCT subtests (a state promotion requirement), the student must take a retest for the failed subtest(s) during summer school. If the student does not pass the retest(s), a Student Support Team will determine the student’s placement

for the next school year.

How can your child pass the 8th grade?

• Student must earn a minimum of a 70 average each semester in 4 out of 5 subjects (two of which must be math and language arts). Connections Student must pass both semesters of a class to pass that class for the year.

• Student must earn a passing score on the Middle Grades Writing Assessment.

• Student must achieve passing scores on the math and reading subtests of the CRCT.

CRCT7th – Required to pass MA, E/LA, RDG &

SC , SS8th – Required to pass RDG & MA

CRCT (Criterion-Referenced Competency Test)=a score of 800 or higher is passing

Test all subjects – LA, MA, SC, SS

Measure students knowledge of state curriculum (QCC/GPS)

Given April 18-21, and April 25 2011

CRCT Dates• Monday April 18th: Reading• Tuesday April 19th: ELA• Wednesday April 20th: Math• Thursday April 21st: Science• Monday April 25th: Social Studies

Georgia 8 Writing Assessment in grade 8

Required to pass

• A state mandated writing assessment administered in Grade 8

• Evaluation of every student’s response to a prompt

• Is a requirement for promotion in GCPS

Tips for parents at test time

• Keep to your regular schedule• Encourage your child to do his/her best.• Help your child prepare for testing.• Make sure your child attends school on

test days.

Tips for parents at test time

• After the test, let your child know that you appreciate that he/she did his/her best.

• Contact your child’s teacher if special circumstances may have affected test performance.

• Be familiar with the testing schedule.

Test taking tips for students Before the test

• Get plenty of rest the night before.

• Eat a nutritious breakfast.

• Wear comfortable clothes

• Arrive to school on time.

• Relax• If stressed out do

the following:– Slow down & relax– Take slow deep

breathes– Close your eyes and

think positive– Be prepared

Test taking tips for students During the test

• Listen & follow directions.

• Mark your answers in the right place.

• Take your time & read carefully

• Read all written directions.

• Think about your answers.

• Know these terms:– Synonyms– Antonyms– Estimate– Infer– Explain your answer

Test taking tips for students After the test.

• Go back and review if you have time.

• Check that you have answered every question.

• If you find a mistake, erase completely and carefully.

• Check for any stray marks and erase them.

For more information

Berkmar Middle School Parent Center

Melissa Martin

Parent Instructional Support Coordinator

Location: Room 1.209

Hours: 8:15-4:15, Monday-Friday

[email protected]

770-638-2310

** You can also contact your child’s counselor

or administrator if you have specific questions

about promotion.

Georgia PIRC

Parent Information Resource Center

Metro Atlanta Region: Communities in Schools of Georgia

600 West Peachtree Street, Suite 1200

Atlanta, GA 30308

Julie Hollis, Director

[email protected]

(800) 838-5784