Welcome to River Hill High

(H-N) Mrs. Coe

(A-G) Mrs. Fairley

(O-Z) Dr. Saunders

AAM Mr. Lauer

Administrative Team

Mrs. McKinleyPrincipal

Student ServicesA-Da- Mr. IvesDe-J-Ms. BabeK-M-Ms. Pizzo

N-Sm -Mr. VangeliSn-Z-Mr. Krouse ESOL- Ms. Miller

Students show HAWK PRIDE every day in every way!

❑ Punctuality❑ Respect❑ Integrity❑ Determination❑ Excellence

Student Responsibilities and Behavior

Student and Parent Handbook, 2015-16●HCPSS Policies ●Student Code of Conduct●Safe Schools●Family Involvement

Program Agenda

Introduction Tests:

– PSAT/NMSQT– SAT– SAT Subject Tests– ACT– Advanced Placement Tests– High School Assessments– Naviance

Questions/Answers & Feedback

PSAT/NMSQT

PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test

Benefits of the PSAT/NMSQT

Good practice for the SAT Test Receive information from colleges and

scholarship services Receive information about college major

interests Chance to qualify for scholarship programs (Juniors only):

– National Merit Scholarships– National Achievement Program– Hispanic Recognition Program

Motivation to think actively about preparing for college

Additional benefits of the PSAT/NMSQT

Receive personalized feedback on critical reading, math, and writing skills, including suggestions for improvement

Receive information about each test question, including correct answers with full explanations online; students also have their actual test book returned with their score reports

Gain insight into how students’ academic skills compare to their college-bound peers

What does the PSAT/NMSQT actually test?

Like the SAT, the test assesses the academic skills that students develop over the years, primarily through their course work.

It measures reading and math reasoning and writing skills that are critical for success in college.

How does the PSAT/NMSQT compare to the SAT?

Same question types, except the SAT includes an optional essay assignment

PSAT/NMSQT is 2 hours, 45 minutes; SAT is 3 hours plus 50 minutes for optional essay

SAT will have a few math questions from third-year math courses; PSAT/NMSQT will not.

PSAT/NMSQTContent and Question Types• 2 hours and 45 minutes

• Evidence-Based Reading and Writing – Reading Test– Writing and Language Test

• Math

PSAT/NMSQTContent and Question Types• Continued emphasis on reasoning alongside a

clearer, stronger focus on the knowledge, skills, and understandings most important for college and career readiness and success

• Greater emphasis on the meaning of words in extended contexts and on how word choice shapes meaning, tone, and impact

• Rights-only scoring (a point for a correct answer but no deduction for an incorrect answer; blank responses have no impact on scores)

PSAT/NMSQTContent and Question Types• Scores will be reported on a shared common

score scale with the SAT: The scale ranges for the PSAT/NMSQT scores are 320–1520 for the total score, 160–760 for each of two section scores, and 8–38 for test scores.

• Subscores for every test, providing added insight for students, parents, educators, and counselors

SAT Content and Questions• Evidence-Based Reading and Writing

– Reading Test– Writing and Language Test

• Math

• Essay (optional)

SAT Content and Questions

• Continued emphasis on reasoning alongside a clearer, stronger focus on the knowledge, skills, and understandings most important for college and career readiness and success

• Greater emphasis on the meaning of words in extended contexts and on how word choice shapes meaning, tone, and impact

• Rights-only scoring (a point for a correct answer but no deduction for an incorrect answer; blank responses have no impact on scores)

SAT Content and Questions

• Optional Essay given at the end of the SAT; postsecondary institutions determine whether they will require the Essay for admission

• 50 minutes to write the essay

• Tests reading, analysis, and writing skills; students produce a written analysis of a provided source text

SAT Content and Questions

• Scale ranging from 400 to 1600• Scale ranging from 200 to 800 for Evidence-

Based Reading and Writing; 200 to 800 for Math; 2 to 8 on each of three dimensions for Essay

• Essay results reported separately• Subscores for every test, providing added

insight for students, parents, admission officers, educators, and counselors

SAT Subject Tests

SAT Subject Tests Subject Tests fall into five subject areas:

– English, history, mathematics, sciences, and languages Subject tests measure a student’s knowledge and

skills in a particular subject and their ability to apply that knowledge.

Each subject test is one hour-multiple choice Students can take up to 3 tests on one day SAT Subject Tests are required by the most

competitive colleges The scores help colleges:

– determine how well prepared you are for different programs

– place you in freshman and higher level courses– advise you on course selection

SAT Subject Tests Who Should Take the SAT Subject Tests?

- Students planning to apply to a most competitive college that requires them, i.e. Cornell, JHU, Georgetown, Duke, Stanford

- Students enrolled in:Algebra 2 G/T Math Level 1Pre-calculus G/T Math Level 2Biology G/T Biology E/MChemistry G/T ChemistryPhysics G/T PhysicsUS History GT US HistoryWorld History G/T World HistoryEnglish 11 G/T LiteratureWorld Languages 3 to 4 years

How Students Can Prepare for the SAT

Challenge themselves throughout high school by taking rigorous courses, including at least 3 years of math

Read and write as much as possible, both in & out of schoolFamiliarize themselves with the SAT so they know what to

expect on test dayFamiliarize themselves with the different types of SAT

questions, the directions for each type of question, and how the test is scored, so they know what to expect on test day

READ, READ, READTake SAT Preparation course offered at River HillKhan Academy through College Board

ACT

An alternative to the SAT Scored from 1-36

Has four sections: – English– Math– Science– Reading – Optional Writing section

Accepted by most colleges in lieu of SAT and SAT Subject Tests

APAdvanced Placement Exams

Offered in Spring at the conclusion of AP course Scored from 1-5 Most colleges give college credit for a score of

3, 4, or 5.

HSAsHigh School Assessments

What are the HSAs?

The HSAs are 2-3 hour exams made up of multiple-choice items (May Test).

Exams are administered in the following classes: – Biology– American Government

Assessment Graduation Requirements

Pass Government HSA

Pass Biology HSA Sit for PARCC Algebra I

Sit for PARCC English 10

Material covered by the tests is only about 60% of the course content.

Passing scores were intentionally set at a level achievable for all students.

Are the HSA standards reasonable?

HSA Topics Covered by Subject

Biology Skills and Processes of Biology

Structure and Function of Biological Molecules

Structure and Function of Cells and Organisms

Inheritance of Traits

Mechanism of Evolutionary Change

Interdependence of Organisms in the Biosphere

HSA Topics Covered by SubjectGovernment

U.S. Government Structure, Function, and

Principles

Systems of Government and Foreign Policy

Protecting Rights and Maintaining Order

Impact of Geography on Governmental Policy

Economic Principles, Institutions, and Processes

HSA Passing/Minimum Scores

Passing ScoreMinimum

Score

Biology 400 None

Government

394 None

HSA Preparation: What We Do?

In-class preparation throughout the year

County assessments to mirror the HSAs

Pull out remediation in some content areas

After school program in spring, if funded by county

HSA Preparation: What Can You/Your Student Do?

Take the exams seriously.

Good night’s sleep; healthy breakfast!

Relax---no need to cram!

Support your student.

What happens if a student does not pass an HSA?

Parents are notified. Student may take appropriate review activity.

– HSA Mastery class.– Online courses available.– Online test item bank available.

Student retakes the HSA.

2015 - 2016 Testing Schedule• PSAT Oct 14

– Paper Assessment– Grades 10, 11

• PARCC April 12-June 3– Online Assessment– Algebra I, II, English 10, 11– Grades 9-12

• May HSA May 23-June 10– Online Assessment– Government and Biology

Naviance

• Naviance.com

• Email your child’s counselor to set up an account.

Feedback

Please complete the feedback form before you leave this evening.

Your feedback helps to make sure we are providing you with useful information.

Thank You!