ASSESSMENT NIGHTASSESSMENT NIGHT

MMarylandaryland SStatetate AAssessmentssessment ((Reading, Math & ScienceReading, Math & Science))

North Bend Elementary MiddleNorth Bend Elementary Middle

Thursday, February 10, 2010Thursday, February 10, 2010

Grades: 3 - 8Grades: 3 - 8

By the end of tonight’s session, By the end of tonight’s session, you will be more familiar with:you will be more familiar with:

MSA Assessments (Reading, Math & MSA Assessments (Reading, Math & Science)Science)

Ways to support your child/children Ways to support your child/children beforebefore, , duringduring and and afterafter testing testing

How Are We Preparing How Are We Preparing Students for Testing?Students for Testing?

Test Preparation Instructional BlockTest Preparation Instructional Block Use of Test Preparation MaterialsUse of Test Preparation Materials Curriculum that Covers the Targeted Curriculum that Covers the Targeted

Skills and ObjectivesSkills and Objectives Using our Benchmark Data to Guide Using our Benchmark Data to Guide

our Instruction through Re-teachingour Instruction through Re-teaching Mock Testing SessionsMock Testing Sessions

When Will MSA Testing When Will MSA Testing Take Place?Take Place?

The Week of MARCH 9The Week of MARCH 9thth – 13 – 13thth 16 SCHOOL DAYS AWAY!!!16 SCHOOL DAYS AWAY!!! Testing will begin at 9:00 a.m. Testing will begin at 9:00 a.m. Boys and Girls Boys and Girls MUSTMUST arrive arrive on on

timetime otherwise they will not be otherwise they will not be tested with their class. tested with their class.

WHAT CAN YOU WHAT CAN YOU DO TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILD DO TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILD

DURING TESTING?DURING TESTING?

At least 8 hours of sleep each nightAt least 8 hours of sleep each night A well balanced breakfast each A well balanced breakfast each

morning. morning. Encouragement to do their best!!Encouragement to do their best!!

MSA MSA

((MMaryland aryland SSchool chool AAssessment)ssessment)WHAT IS IT??WHAT IS IT??

The MSA is a Reading, Mathematics The MSA is a Reading, Mathematics and Science test given to and Science test given to Elementary & Middle school Elementary & Middle school students.students.

Students in each grade take each Students in each grade take each test over two days – that is test over two days – that is twotwo days for Reading, days for Reading, twotwo for Math and for Math and twotwo for Science (Grades 5 & 8). for Science (Grades 5 & 8).

WHY IS THE MSA GIVEN?WHY IS THE MSA GIVEN?

It measures how well children are It measures how well children are learning so that all stakeholders learning so that all stakeholders (parents, students, teachers, school (parents, students, teachers, school administrators) can be sure that every administrators) can be sure that every child has the opportunity to succeed.child has the opportunity to succeed.

Under No Child Left Behind (Under No Child Left Behind (NCLBNCLB) every ) every state must measure state must measure READINGREADING, , MATHMATH and and SCIENCESCIENCE achievement at the Elementary, achievement at the Elementary, Middle, and High school levels.Middle, and High school levels.

What Does The MSA What Does The MSA Test?Test?

Content your child should have Content your child should have learned in reading, math and learned in reading, math and science classes.science classes.

The content is from the Maryland The content is from the Maryland State Curriculum (MSC). State Curriculum (MSC).

(Visit (Visit MdKL12.orgMdKL12.org to see the MSC) to see the MSC)

READINGREADINGThe READING tests three topic The READING tests three topic

areas:areas:

General Reading Processes General Reading Processes

Informational Text Comprehension Informational Text Comprehension

Literary Text ComprehensionLiterary Text Comprehension

MATHEMATICSMATHEMATICSThe MATH MSA tests :The MATH MSA tests :

Algebra/PatternsAlgebra/Patterns

Geometry/MeasurementGeometry/Measurement

Statistics/ProbabilityStatistics/Probability

Number Concepts/ComputationNumber Concepts/Computation

Processes of MathematicsProcesses of Mathematics

What Does the Test Look What Does the Test Look Like?Like?

The tests include multiple-choice The tests include multiple-choice and written-response questions.and written-response questions.

Elementary ReadingElementary ReadingMSA Reading Release - Grade 3.pdfhttp://mdk12.org/assessments/k_8/index_c.html Middle School ReadingMiddle School ReadingMSA Reading Release - Grade 7.pdf

What Does the Test Look What Does the Test Look Like?Like?

Elementary MathematicsElementary MathematicsMSA Math Release - Grade 4.pdf Middle School MathematicsMiddle School MathematicsMSA Reading Release - Grade 7.pdf

How is the MSA Scored?How is the MSA Scored?

Multiple-choice questions are scored by Multiple-choice questions are scored by machinemachine

Short answer questions are scored by at Short answer questions are scored by at least two trained scorers.least two trained scorers.

Scores are reported in terms of:Scores are reported in terms of: BASICBASIC – – a student is not meeting a student is not meeting

the standardsthe standards PROFICIENTPROFICIENT – – a student is a student is

meeting the meeting the standardsstandards ADVANCEDADVANCED – – a student is performing a student is performing

above standardsabove standards

Are Students With Are Students With Special Needs Tested? Special Needs Tested?

YesYes. They will be tested and given the . They will be tested and given the necessary accommodations based on necessary accommodations based on their IEPs.their IEPs.

MOD MSAMOD MSA

ALT-MSAALT-MSA

How Can I Help Prepare My Child How Can I Help Prepare My Child For The MSA?For The MSA?

Talk with your child’s teachers regularly about Talk with your child’s teachers regularly about your child’s progress & what you can do to help your child’s progress & what you can do to help him or her improve.him or her improve.

Set HIGH expectations. Let them know that Set HIGH expectations. Let them know that school is priority #1!school is priority #1!

Dedicate time daily to talk with your child and Dedicate time daily to talk with your child and read with him or her.read with him or her.

Provide a quiet place for your child to study.Provide a quiet place for your child to study. Help your child with homework.Help your child with homework. Show interest in what your child is doing at Show interest in what your child is doing at

school.school. Limit TV watching and Video-Game playing.Limit TV watching and Video-Game playing. Encourage your child to eat a balanced breakfast.Encourage your child to eat a balanced breakfast.

When Will MSA Testing When Will MSA Testing Take Place?Take Place?

MARCH 8MARCH 8thth – 23 – 23rdrd (Reading & Math) (Reading & Math) MARCH 28MARCH 28thth – 31 – 31stst (Science) (Science) 1717 SCHOOL DAYS AWAY!!!SCHOOL DAYS AWAY!!! Testing will begin at 8:45 a.m. Testing will begin at 8:45 a.m. Boys and Girls Boys and Girls MUSTMUST arrive arrive ON ON

TIMETIME otherwise they will not be otherwise they will not be tested with their class. tested with their class.

((Mathematics takes place one week and Reading the Mathematics takes place one week and Reading the

following weekfollowing week))

QuestionsQuestions & &

AnswersAnswers