Welcome to West Middle School’s Parent Information Night

January 13, 2015

Assessment Transition

Assessment Transition Change Can Be Good…

OLD NEW

Assessment Transition Change Can Be Good…

OLD Union Station NEW Union Station

Assessment Transition Change Can Be Good…

OLD uniform shorts NEW uniform shorts

Assessment Transition Change Can Be Good…

Transitional Colorado Assessment Program (TCAP) Grade 6 Released Extended Writing Question:

Imagine that your family is moving to a new place and your pet will not be allowed to live there. Write a letter to persuade the person in authority to allow your pet to live there.

Note: Your writing will not be scored on correct letter format.

OLD Test Item

Assessment Transition Change Can Be Good…

Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) Released Grade 6 English Language Arts Question:

You have read the passage from A Boy’s Life and “Emancipation: A Life Fable.” Write an essay that identifies a similar theme in each text and compares and contrasts the approaches each text uses to develop this theme. Be sure to support your response with evidence from both texts.

NEW Test Item

Assessment Transition Tonight’s Topics

• New Standards=New Assessments

• Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS)

• CMAS vs. TCAP (Transitional Colorado Assessment Program)

• Benefits of CMAS

• CMAS schedule at West

• Supporting students on CMAS

• Finding more information

• Taking the practice test (optional)

*Notecards have been placed on chairs. If you have a question, please write it on the notecard and pass it to the aisle. We will answer as many questions as we can at the end of the presentation.

New Standards=New Assessments

• In 2010, Colorado adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English Language Arts (ELA)/Math.

• The CCSS have greater clarity and rigor than previous standards.

• The CCSS emphasize fewer topics and stress conceptual and critical thinking.

• The CCSS focus on college and career readiness.

Higher Standards

Fuel Economy Standard

2000 Subaru Impreza 2014 Subaru Impreza

Benefits of CMAS

Measures college and career readiness

Provides summative data that informs accountability

Allows comparisons with other Colorado districts

Allows ELA/Math comparisons between schools and districts in states across the nation

Embraces a new generation of testing: digital format more closely reflects how students experience learning in the classroom

Increases engagement of students during testing

Interactive questions measure higher level thinking

Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS)

Colorado Measures

of

Academic Success

Science

Social Studies

English/Language Arts (ELA)

Math

CMAS ELA/Math:Grades 6-8 Two Separate Administrations

Performance-Based Assessment (PBA)

End of Year Assessment (EOY)

Given in March Given in May

English Lang. Arts/Math English Lang. Arts/Math

3 sessions of ELA 2 sessions of ELA

2 sessions of Math 2 sessions of Math

Computerized • Multiple Choice and

Extended Response

Computerized • Multiple Choice

CMAS Math Grade Math Course CMAS Math Test

6

Math 6 Math 6 Math 6/7

Beyond Math 6/7

7

Math 7 Math 7

Math 7/8

Beyond Math 7/8 Algebra I

8

Math 8 Math 8

Algebra I Algebra I

Geometry Geometry

CMAS Science/Social Studies Single Test Administration

CMAS Test Second Administration

Given in April

Not given for Social Studies or Science

Science 8th Grade Social Studies 7th Grade

3 sessions of Science 3 sessions of Social Studies

Computerized • Multiple Choice and

Extended Response

Sample Item - Math

Notice the click and drag requirement.

Sample Item – Science

Sample Item – Social Studies

TCAP vs. CMAS

CMAS Accommodations

CMAS Performance Levels

Colorado Student Assessment Program (TCAP) • Advanced, Proficient, Partially Proficient,

Unsatisfactory

Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) Command of the Standard: • Distinguished, Strong, Moderate, Limited (SS/Sci) • Distinguished, Strong, Moderate, Partial, Minimal

(ELA/Math)

CMAS March Testing Schedule at West

Grade 3-9 3-10 3-11 3-12 3-13 3-14

6 ELA 1 Math 1

ELA 2 Math 2

ELA 3

7 ELA 1 Math 1 ELA 2

ELA 3 Math 2

8 ELA 1 Math 1 ELA 2

ELA 3 Math 2

• Students will take one or two tests per day • Tests will alternate between ELA and Math • Only one grade level will be testing at a

time

How We Are Supporting Students

• Continue to pursue excellence – we are a high achieving school and will demonstrate it

• Allow students to experience the structure of the test

• Prepare students to respond to multiple sources of information

• Continue to push deeper thinking skills

How You Can Support Your Child

• Be informed. Know the basics about CMAS.

• Be positive. Higher standards are a good thing.

• Be encouraging. At first, the test might seem more challenging.

• Be informed. CMAS is designed to inform readiness for college and the world of work.

• Be supportive. As always, help your student succeed in school.

Practice Test Items

CMAS Science and Social Studies Practice Items http://pearsonaccess.com/co CMAS ELA/Math Practice Items http://www.parcconline.org/practice-tests Standards and Assessment Task Force http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdedepcom/updatedpublicadvisoryfromthecoloradostandardsandassessmenttaskforce

Next Steps

Questions?

If you want to try the test, computers are set up in the cafeteria, behind the curtain. Staff members are there to assist you.

Thank you for coming