Secondary PARCC TestsPartnership for Assessment of

Readiness for College and Careers

Session Outcomes

Participants will:• Describe what the new PARCC testing is

about• Explore the design sample PARCC items in

ELA and Mathematics.• Explore the content of sample PARCC

items in ELA and Mathematics.

What is PARCC?

The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers: Made up of 9 states Developing common, high-quality

math and English language arts (ELA) tests for grades 3–11Computer-based and linked to what students need to

know for college and careersFor use starting in the 2014–15 school year

What are PARCC Assessments?

• States working together to develop high-quality, computer based assessments of student learning.

• Assessments that will efficiently measure what students know and can do, and then allow teachers to adjust instruction accordingly, resulting in the best use of classroom time.

What are PARCC Assessment?

Current state assessments were not designed to: Assess and signal whether students are on

track for success in college or careers

Produce timely, actionable data for students, teachers and parents

Test key skills, such as critical thinking and ability to problem solve

Assessment Tutorial: How has the test changed?

Take a look at the features found on the new assessments.

• How does the PARCC assessment differ from MSA/HSA?

• What advantages do you see by having students take this assessment on the computer?

Assessment Timeline

7

Performance-Based

Assessment

End-of-Year Assessment

After 90 percent of the school year

Innovative, short-answer items ELA/literacy: Reading

comprehension Math: Short items that

address both concepts and skills

After 75 percent of the school year

Extended tasks, applications of concepts and skills ELA/literacy: Writing

effectively when analyzing text, research simulation

Math: Solving multistep problems requiring abstract reasoning, precision, perseverance and strategic use of tools

PARCC Tutorial

Let’s go through the PARCC tutorial to familiarize you with the available tools

for students.

http://practice.parcc.testnav.comClick on TUTORIAL

PARCC Tutorial Debrief

• How does the PARCC assessment differ from MSA/HSA?

• What advantages do you see by having students take this assessment on the computer?

Accessibility Features for All Students on the Computer-Based Test Mode

10

Accessibility Features for All Students Assigned the Computer-Based Test ModeAudio Amplification

Blank/Scratch Paper (provided by test administrator)Eliminate Answer Choices

Flag Items for ReviewGeneral Administration Directions Clarified (by test administrator)

General Administration Directions Read Aloud and Repeated (by test administrator)

Text Highlighter ToolHeadphones or Noise Buffers

Line ReaderMagnification/Enlargement Device

Pop-Up GlossaryRedirect Student to Test (by test administrator)

Writing Tools

MATHEMATICS

Thinking About Math

As we explore the content of the math items, think about…

• How has the assessment changed regarding content?

• How can you best support your student to begin taking these assessments?

• How can teachers best support your student to begin taking these assessments?

What is available from PARCC for Math?

Sample Items – Includes items from Grades 6-8, Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II with some performance based tasks.

Practice Tests – Current tests are end of year (task type 1 – machine scoreable) and available for Grades 6-8, Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II

SAMPLE ITEMS

• Take a look at the available sample math items for Grades 6-8 and/or high school.

http://practice.parcc.testnav.comClick on SAMPLE ITEMS

PRACTICE TEST

• Current practice tests are end-of-year (EOY).

• Let’s take a look at some examples from the practice test.– The examples represent

some of the focus clusters

Non-Calculator and Calculator Grade 7 Sample Items

• What do you notice?

• What do you wonder?

Non-calculator Example #1

7.Ratio and Proportions.2d

Non-calculator Example #2

7.RP.2b

Non-calculator Example #3

7.Expressions and Equations.4a-1

Calculator Example #1

7.RP.1

Calculator Example #2

7.EE.3

For a deeper look…..

• You can use the practice PARCC tests website to look through all grade levels of sample items.

http://practice.parcc.testnav.comClick on Practice Tests and choose MathematicsChoose a grade level/course to view.

PARCC for Mathematics

• How has the assessments changed regarding content?

• How can you best support your student to begin taking these assessments?

• How can teachers best support your student to begin taking these assessments?

ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS

ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS

PBA Simulation

The example we will look at is from the eighth grade Performance Based Assessment.

There are three sections: literary analysis, research simulation, and a narrative task.

http://practice.parcc.testnav.comClick on PRACTICE TESTS

The Test

• 1-7: Literary analysis• 8-17: Research simulation• 18-23: Narrative task

• Read/view the texts, and answer the questions.• Discuss the skills and knowledge required by

students to respond to the questions and essay.

Focus Question – ELA

• What do students need to know and be able to do?

Consider this question as you preview the ELA practice tests.

http://practice.parcc.testnav.com/#

Click on the Practice Test Tab and choose ELA.

Scroll down to find your grade level.

Additional Resources

• Achieve the Core http://achievethecore.org/ • Better Lesson http://betterlesson.com/ • CAST http://www.cast.org• Educators Evaluating the Quality of Instructional Products

(EQuIP) http://achieve.org/ • Great Public Schools (GPS) Network http://www.gpsnetwork.org/ • MSDE Blackboard Learn

https://msde.blackboard.com/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp• ReadWorks http://www.readworks.org/ • Teaching Channel https://www.teachingchannel.org/

Putting it all Together…

Higher Expectations

30

ELA/Literacy

Read sufficiently complex texts independently

Write effectively to sources

Build and present knowledge through research

Math

Solve problems: content and mathematical practice

Reason mathematically

Model real-world problems

Have fluency with mathematics

Where can you go for additional

resources to support your

student?

Parent Resources

• http://parcconline.org/for-parents• http://

www.pta.org/parents/content.cfm?ItemNumber=2910

• Khan academy: Question types and tutorials

Thank you! Questions?