Notes about the 2013 Assessments

Changes to Grades 3- 8 ELA

·         4 books administered over three days. 

·         Shorter testing times for younger grades. 

·         No speaking and listening section.

·         Passages are longer and more rigorous.

·         Balance of informational and literary texts

·         Holistic scoring rubrics – 2 point and 4 point.

·         Items will look different – text dependent questions, really good distractors

·         All writing will require comprehension and analysis of text

·         Authentic texts – 100% of the passages are published works – the questions written for NYS.

·         Vocabulary definitions will be provided if above grade level. Teachers are not to define vocabulary to students. 

Changes to 3-8 Math

·         Shorter testing times at younger grades

·         Questions may assess multiple standards simultaneously

·         Formula sheets are updated based on field tests.  If child needs formula not on the sheet it will be built into the problem. 

·         Grades 3-5 no calculators on entire test

·         Grades 6-8 no calculator on Book 1 - this applies to SWD too.  Use of calculator is based on what you are assessing/measure.

·         Mathematical Practice #5 – giving kids math tools and they decide which tools are appropriate to use. This is why students will have rulers and protractors available.  Ruler and protractor specifications have not changed