martin mcas night -...

Martin MCAS NightFebruary 28, 2008

Testing Dates

Grade 3-5 ELA: March 25th - April 8th Math: May 12th- May 29th Grade 4 Long Composition- March 25th Grade 5 Science: May 13th-May 29th History: May 14th- May 29th

What can parents do to prepare for the MCAS test?

• Parent Hotline 1-866-MCAS220• Talk to your child about their thoughts on the test• Visit: http://www.doe.mass.edu/news/news.asp?id=3852• Address the what if questions: What if… I fail, I can’t remember anything, I run out

of time?• Have fun the night before: play a board game, do

something active, watch a movie, etc.

http://www.doe.mass.edu/news/news.asp?id=3852

What can my child do to prepare for the test?

• Go to bed early. A tired student will not perform at their best.

• Have a good breakfast. • Arrive to school on time. • Think positive thoughts

Common Questions1. Will my child stay back if they do not pass?

No

2. Can my child leave the room during the test? Yes

3. What happens if my child is absent?They will make it up if within deadline.

4. Does my child have to take the test?Yes

Test Results

• Advanced (grades 4-10)/Above Proficient (grade 3) • Proficient (grades 3-10) • Needs Improvement (grades 3-10) • Warning (grades 3-8)/Failing (grades 9

and 10)

How are test results used?

• Improvements in teaching and learning• School and district accountability• Student accountability Students are required to pass the MCAS grade 10 tests in English

Language Arts and Mathematics and, beginning with the class of 2010, one high school test in Biology, Chemistry, Introductory Physics, or Technology/Engineering

What types of questions appear on MCAS tests, and how are student responses

scored? • Multiple-choice questions • a list of four options• Responses to multiple-choice questions are machine scored

• Short-answer questions • included only on Mathematics tests• Responses to short-answer questions are scored on a scale of 0-1 points

by one scorer at grades 3-8 and by two scorers independently at grade 10.

• Open-response questions • are included on all MCAS tests. • Students create a one- or two-paragraph response in writing or in the

form of a narrative or a chart, table, diagram, illustration, or graph, as appropriate.

MCAS Questions Cont. • Answers to open-response questions are not scored for spelling,

punctuation, or grammar. Responses are scored by one scorer at grades 3-8. Grade 10 ELA and Mathematics tests and high school Science and Technology/Engineering tests are scored by two scorers independently.

• Writing prompts • are included only on ELA Composition tests and require students to

respond by creating a written composition. • Topic development, based on a six-score point scale, with

students receiving from 2 to 12 points (the sum of scores from each of the two scorers)

• Standard English conventions, based on a four-point scale, with students receiving from 2 to 8 points (the sum of the scores from each of the two scorers).

Third Grade Math

Zoey is using bananas and oranges to make the pattern shown below. The rule for her pattern is ABBB.

Zoey will follow the rule for her pattern a total of 4 times.

How many oranges will Zoey use in all? Show or explain how you got your answer.

Question 7: Patterns, Relations, and Algebra

2 Points

1 Point

0 Points

2007 MCAS Grade 3 English Language Arts

Question 21: Reading and Literature

See Appendix A for full story

3.

3.

2.

2.

1.

1.

Example: They did not have bowls.Example: People used bread as a plate.

ReasonWay the Pilgrims Ate

Based on the selection, describe three eating habits of the Pilgrims and give a reason for each one. Look at the examples in the boxes below, but use different examples in your answer.

4 Points

3 Points

2 Points

1 Point

0 Points

Grade 4 ELA

Question 35: Reading and Literature

Diggin’ DirtBy: Ellen R. Braaf

The Article states that “dirt is amazing stuff!” Based on the article, explain why dirt is so important. Support your answer with important information from the article.

See Appendix B

2007 MCASGrade 4 English Language Arts

Question 35 - Score Point 4

2007 MCAS Grade 4 Mathematics• Question 27: Number Sense and Operations

At The Village Gift Shop, balloons are sold in two different sizes. The picture below shows the cost of each size of balloon.

A. Kiki is buying 2 small balloons and 1 large balloon. What is the total cost of her three balloons at The Village Gift Shop? Show your work or explain how you got your answer.D. Kiki gave the clerk $6 to pay for her three balloons. How much change should Kiki receive? Show your work or explain how you got your answer.F. Sam has $10 to buy balloons at The Village Gift Shop. He will follow all of the rules listed below to choose his balloons.

• He will buy at least one of each size of balloon.• He will buy as many balloons as he can.• He will spend as close to $10 as he can without going over.

Using his rules, how many small balloons and large balloons can Sam buy for $10? Show your work or explain how you got your answer.

2007 MCASGrade 4 Mathematics


4 Points

Grade 5 Reading Comprehension

Based on the selection, explain:

how William Driver showed that the flag was important to him.

b

why Old Glory was important to William Driver, and

a

Support your answer with important details from the selection.

See Appendix C for the full story

4 Points

3 Points

2 Points

1 Point

0 Points

2007 MCAS Grade 5 Mathematics

Question 31: Patterns, Relations, and Algebra Ms. Taylor is playing a number game with one of her students.

When the student tells Ms. Taylor a number, Ms. Taylor uses a rule to determine a new number. Ms. Taylor always uses the same rule.

The table below shows some of the student’s numbers and Ms. Taylor’s numbers.Number Game

72

134

41

258

165

Ms. Taylor'sNumber

Student'sNumber

If the student’s numbers are always whole numbers, could 43 be one of Ms. Taylor’s numbers? Show or explain how you got your answer.

c.

When the student tells Ms. Taylor a number, what is the rule that Ms. Taylor uses to determine her number?

b.

What should be Ms. Taylor’s number when the student’s number is 6?a.

4 Points

3 Points

2 Points

1 Point

0 Points

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