PARCC Parent Evening March 22, 2017 Mr. DeLaura, Principal
1. Why should my child take the PARCC test? ● Previous assessments did little to improve instruction and provide feedback. PARCC is aligned to meet new academic standards taught in class. ● Provides overall score in ELA and Math, comparison to peers, school and ● district. ● Incorporates useful information about strengths and areas for improvement.
2. What makes PARCC different from previous state tests? ● Deeper understanding ie: Question types ● Application of knowledge to real world problems ● Questions are more in depth and require reasoning ● Parents receive more detailed information about student learning.
3. Can PARCC help my child improve? ● Yes! The PARCC reports break down each subject tested into different categories of skills, and shows how well your child performed in each. ● You can use this information to guide a discussion with your child’s teacher(s) about additional supports or challenges needed in class, and other ways to support your child at home. ● Teachers and principals will use this information to improve classroom instruction and provide more effective and targeted support and professional development. ● They can also identify where your child has mastered content so they can provide more challenging work to continue to keep him or her engaged and making progress.
4. Why is my child’s participation important? ● These tests serve as an ‘academic check-up.’ ● Although they are only one measure of your child’s progress, the scores on the PARCC test can be compared from one year to the next. ● The test is a useful tool to determine your child’s performance and the level of progress and readiness for the next grade. ● Throughout their academic career, all students will take standardized tests, including an annual state test to measure how well they are progressing in the skills and content at each grade level. ● Tests can open doors to many great opportunities in life, including college, scholarships and professional careers.
PARCC Times Grades 3-6 Math/ ELA
PARCC Times Grades 5-8 Math/ ELA
KNOW WHAT YOUR CHILD SHOULD BE LEARNING IN ENGLISH AND MATH To find out the learning expectations of your child’s grade level in both subjects, take a look at the PTA Parents’ Guide to Success at http://www.pta.org/content.cfm?ItemNumber=2909&navItemNumber=4065 which gives descriptions of the skills and knowledge your child is expected to gain every year. You can also see samples of what your child’s writing should look like in every grade at http://raisethebarparents.org/what-will-my-child-belearning-each-year.
Take a Look at the Practice Test TAKE A LOOK AT THE PRACTICE TEST. This will help you better understand how the test is aligned to classroom work and see the types of reading, math and writing questions your child will be answering. You may want to walk through the test with your child to help familiarize him or her with the test format and features and answer any questions. To see a practice test, visit http://parcc.pearson.com/practice-tests/. You can also see questions from last year’s PARCC test at https://prc.parcconline.org/assessments/parccreleased-items.
Sample ELA
Sample Math
USE YOUR CHILD’S TEST RESULTS FROM LAST YEAR TO IDENTIFY AREAS WHERE HE OR SHE MIGHT NEED ADDITIONAL SUPPORT Talk with your child’s teachers to see what types of supplemental activities you can do at home. Find activities that match your child’s performance in both subjects in the Be a Learning Hero Skill Builder at http://bealearninghero.org/skill-builder.
Test Taking Tips for Students 1. Have a Positive Attitude: Approach the big test as you'd approach a giant jigsaw puzzle. It might be tough, but you can do it! A positive attitude goes a long way toward success. 2. The Night Before: Remember, your brain and body need sleep to function well, so don't stay up late! 3. The Morning of the Test: Did you know that you think better when you have a full stomach? So don't skip breakfast the morning of the test. Get to school early and do a ten-minute power study right before the test, so your brain is turned on and tuned up. 4. Test Time: Before the test begins, make sure you have everything you'll need - scratch paper, extra pencils, your calculator (if you're allowed to use it). Read the instructions! You want to make sure you are marking answers correctly. 5. Manage Your Time: Scan through the test quickly before starting. Answering the easy questions first can be a time saver and a confidence builder. Plus, it saves more time in the end for you to focus on the hard stuff.
Test Taking Tips for Students 6. I'm Stuck!: Those tricky problems can knock you off balance. Don't get worried or frustrated. Reread the question to make sure you understand it, and then try to solve it the best way you know how. If you're still stuck, circle it and move on. You can come back to it later. What if you have no idea about the answer? Review your options and make the best guess you can, but only if you don't lose points for wrong answers. 7. Multiple-Choice Questions: The process of elimination can help you choose the correct answer in a multiple-choice question. Start by crossing off the answers that couldn't be right. Then spend your time focusing on the possible correct choices before selecting your answer. 8. Positive Self Talk: Eliminate negative thoughts or self-talk by replacing them with a positive affirmation, like “I am prepared for the test and I will do well” or “I am smart – I can do this.” 9. I'm Done!: Not so fast - when you complete the last item on the test, remember that you're not done yet. First, check the clock and go back to review your answers, making sure that you didn't make any careless mistakes (such as putting the right answer in the wrong place or skipping a question). Spend the last remaining minutes going over the hardest problems before you turn in your test.
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