Parent WorkshopGarnet Valley Elementary School

Garnet Valley School DistrictFebruary 21, 2012

The PSSA is a state assessment system in Reading, Mathematics, Writing and Science given each year to Pennsylvania’s public school students to measure students’ achievement of the Pennsylvania Assessment Anchor Content Standards.

Establishes AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) for each subject in grades 3-8 and 11. These target levels increase at set intervals until 2014.

ALL students must be 100% proficient by the year 2014. Targets for 2012:

Math – 78% proficient or better Reading – 81% proficient or better

No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) Achievement Levels:

Advanced Proficient Basic Below Basic

Monday – March 12th – Mathematics Tuesday – March 13th – Reading Wednesday – March 14th – Mathematics Thursday – March 15th – Reading Friday – March 16th – MAKE-UP TESTING Monday – March 19th – Mathematics Tuesday – March 20th - Reading

ScheduleSchedule

Assessment Overview Grade 3 Mathematics and Reading

Section 1: Mathematics- 24 MC and 2 OE questions with a suggested testing time of 55 to 65 minutes

Section 2: Reading- 24 MC and 1 OE with a suggested testing time of 70 to 80 minutes

Section 3: Mathematics- 24 MC and 1 OE with a suggested testing time of 50 to 60 minutes

Section 4: Reading- 18 MC and 1 OE with a suggested testing time of 50 to 60 minutes

Section 5: Mathematics- 24 MC and 1 OE with a suggested testing time of 50 to 60 minutes

Section 6: Reading- 16 MC and 1 OE with a suggested testing time of 45 to 55 minutes

Assessment Overview Grades 4 and 5 Mathematics and Reading

Section 1: Mathematics- 24 MC and 2 OE questions with a suggested testing time of 55 to 65 minutes

Section 2: Reading- 24 MC,2 OE (Gr4),21 MC, 2 OE (Gr5) with a suggested testing time of 75 to 85 minutes

Section 3: Mathematics- 24 MC and 1 OE with a suggested testing time of 50 to 60 minutes

Section 4: Reading- 18 MC and 1 OE with a suggested testing time of 50 to 60 minutes

Section 5: Mathematics- 24 MC and 1 OE with a suggested testing time of 50 to 60 minutes

Section 6: Reading- 16 MC and 2 OE with a suggested testing time of 50 to 60 minutes

Assessment Overview Grade 5 Writing Assessment

Section 1- 20 Multiple Choice questions with a suggested testing time of 45 to 55 minutes

Section 2- 1 Writing Prompt with a suggested testing time of 55 to 65 minutes

Section 3- 1 Writing Prompt with a suggested testing time of 55 to 65 minutes

Section 4- 1 Writing Prompt with a suggested testing time of 55 to 65 minutes

Assessment Overview

Grade 4 Science Section 1- 34 MC and 3OE with a suggested testing time of 45 to

55 minutes Section 2- 34 MC and 3 OE with a suggested testing time of 45 to

55 minutes

Students read a passage and answer a series of multiple choice questions aligned to the story.

OE questions follow MC questions on some responses. OE questions require an essay like response.

Example:http://www.pde.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/

community/pennsylvania_system_of_school_assessment_%28pssa%29/8757/resource_materials/507610

Students complete a series of MC questions covering material from their grade level curriculum.

OE questions: Students must be able to explain both what they did, how it was done and why.

Example:http://www.pde.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pennsylvania_system_of_school_assessment_%28pssa%29/8757/resource_materials/507610

Passage with MC questions Writing Prompt – Plan, Write and Proofread

Persuasive Narrative Informational

Example: http://www.pde.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/

pennsylvania_system_of_school_assessment_%28pssa%29/8757/resource_materials/507610

GVES’s History Grade 3: 2009: Reading 93% Math 94%

2010: Reading 94% Math 98%2011: Reading 91% Math 97%

Grade 4: 2009: Reading 93% Math 95% 2010: Reading 95% Math 98% 2011: Reading 94% Math 97%

Grade 5:2009: Reading 92% Math 89%2010: Reading 88% Math 91%2011: Reading 95% Math 91%

Staff have refocused content/teaching to make sure they cover all of the standards/anchors.

Instruction must be streamlined and consolidated in order to cover the required content before testing in March.

Remediation groups implemented to address individual concerns with reading

Odyssey– reinforce math skills previously introduced and currently being taught

District and individual schools are assessed based on performance levels.

Reinforce the importance of student effort during the school day for each day of testing.

Review/discuss homework and tests with your child each night. Have them explain both what they did and how they arrived at an answer.

Make sure students arrive on time each day. Consistent absence and tardiness prevents a smooth transition of knowledge and skills.

Make sure your child is present each day of testing Make sure your child has a good night’s sleep each

night Make sure your child has a good breakfast each

morning Continue to support and encourage students to work to

their fullest potential