Parent Academy Topic: Understanding the State and District Testing Programs

1. Parent AcademyTopic: Understanding the State and District Testing Programs

2. Understanding the State and District Testing Programs Objectives To provide parents/guardians with an understanding of the implications of Standardized Testing and Reporting To provide parents/guardians with insight on the importance of the California Standardized Tests, what happens to the results, and the implications these results have on their children’s academic development. To provide parents/guardians with the understanding of the importance of the district’s periodic assessments (Palmdale Assessments of State Standards – PASS) To provide resources that will assist parents/guardians to provide support for their children at home and help them do the best on test week!

3. Understanding the State and District Testing Programs Agenda • Introductions • Discussion on Test Related Terminology • Discussion on Standardized Testing and Reporting • English Language Arts/Mathematics Achievement Level Policies • Discussion of the Palmdale periodic assessments • Strategies for Before/During/After the test • Q & A • Evaluation

4. Terminology • STAR = Standardized Testing and Reporting • CST = California Standards Test • AYP = Adequate Yearly Progress • PI = Program Improvement • Online Assessment Reporting System (OARS) • Periodic Assessments • Palmdale Assessments of State Standards (PASS) • Far Below Basic (1-FBB), Below Basic (2-BB), Basic (3-B), Proficient (4-P), & Advanced (5-A)

5. Terminology • CAPA = California Alternate Performance • Assessment – some Special Ed students take this • instead of the CAHSEE, if it’s written in their IEP • IEP = Individual Education Plan • (for Special Education students) • CMA = California Modified Assessment – some • Special Ed students take instead of the CST, if it’s • written in their IEP • CAHSEE = California High School Exit Exam

6. What is the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program? • The California Standards Tests (CSTs) • These standards describe the knowledge and skills that students should learn in each grade. California’s content standards for all subjects and grades tested are available on the California Department of Education (CDE) Content Standards Web page at http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/. • Grades 2nd – 11th Who participates in the STAR Program?

7. What accommodations are implemented for students with disabilities who take the CSTs? • Accommodations • Change conditions, but not measurement • Score counted as is • Modifications • Change conditions and measurement • Score counted as far below basic for state accountability • Score not counted as participating for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) • Variations Students may have these testing variations if regularly used in the classroom. These are listed in Matrix 1. Matrix of Test Variations, Accommodations, and Modifications for Administration of California Statewide Assessments, which is available on the CDE Student Testing Web page at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/.

8. Which grades and subjects are included in the CSTs?

9. When is the STAR Program Administered? These are the tests that will be administered during the STAR administration: • California Standards Tests (CST) • California Modified Assessment (CMA) • California Alternate Performance Assessment (CAPA) • Standards-based Tests in Spanish (STS) Do you know which test(s) your child taking in the Spring?

10. What are the STAR performance levels for the CSTs? • The CST results for each subject tested are reported by performance levels: State target for all students • 5 – Advanced (A) • 4 – Proficient (P) • 3 – Basic (B) • 2 – Below Basic (BB) • 1 – Far Below Basic (FBB)

11. Achievement Level Policy Definitions

12. Scale Score Ranges for CST Performance Levels

13. What kinds of student reports will parents receive?

18. What are Periodic Assessments? • The periodic assessments are aligned with the California Standards. The tests measures students’ progress in mastering the California Standards. If used properly, the tests will help teachers modify instruction to meet the needs of the students and prepare them for the STAR exams. The tests will help teachers evaluate students’ progress in mastering of the California content standards and document their academic growth. • Palmdale Assessments of State Standards (PASS) • English Language Arts K-8 • Mathematics K-8 • Science 7-8 • Social Studies 7-8

19. What are the Periodic Assessments performance levels?

20. Online Assessment Reporting System (OARS) CST Student Report

22. How are the STAR and local assessment results used? STAR Program test results and local assessment results are used for the following purposes: 1. Communicating with Parents and Guardians 2. Monitoring Student Achievement 3. Evaluating School Programs 4. Providing Data to Accountability Programs

23. Soon your child (Grades 2-11) will be taking the California Standards Test. Listed below are a ‘few’ things that you can do at home to prepare your child to “Ace the Test!” Questions for all of the CSTs, except the writing tasks in grades four and seven, are in a multiple-choice format. Students are presented with a question and asked to select the correct answer from four possible choices. Released test questions from the CSTs are posted for public viewing on the CDE Program Resources Web page at http://starsamplequestions.org/. • It’s great practice and gets your children familiar with the format of the test and the types of questions that will be asked. For the CST for English–Language Arts, students in grades four and seven respond to multiple-choice questions and a writing task (prompt). The score on the writing task is combined with results of the multiple-choice questions to produce an overall score and the performance level for the CST for English–Language Arts.

24. Released Test Question 3rd Grade English Language Arts Example

27. Test Taking Tips for Parents The following tips will provide suggestions for parents on how to approach test taking with their kids. • Make sure that your child does all their homework and reading assignments which will help make sure your child is prepared for the test. • Encourage your child to space out their studying and homework assignments so that they won't be forced to cram on the night before the test. • If you are anxious about your child's test it's ok, but try to keep cool around your child, you don't want them to get anxious about their tests too. • Encourage your child to do well, but don't pressure him/her, you may stress him/her out, it is important for your child to stay relaxed on the test.

28. Test Taking Tips for Parents • Keep a positive attitude about tests. • Provide a quiet, well lighted area with little distractions to help your child study efficiently. • Mark down test days on your calendar so you and your child are both aware of testing dates. • Make sure that your child gets enough sleep on the night before the test. • Ensure that your child eats a healthy breakfast and avoid heavy foods that may make him/her groggy and avoid high sugar foods that may make him/her hyper. • Make sure that your child gets up early enough so that he/she will be on time to school. • Let your child relax for a few hours before bedtime, it can be stressful for a child to study all night.

29. Test Taking Tips for Parents • Talking about the test with your child can relieve stress about test taking. • If your child is struggling on their tests, talk to them about it and meet with their teacher to find out the best way to help your child. • Praise/reward your child when they do well on a test or for their hard work preparing for a test. • Encourage them to do better if they don't do well. • Review the test with your child after they have taken it and go over any mistakes they have made and make sure that they understand what they did wrong and how they can improve for the next test.

30. Test Taking Tips for Students • Be well-prepared for the test • Study regularly and learn the materials thoroughly so you can remember even under pressure • Get a good night sleep before the test • Practice good time management • Approach the test with confidence • Exercise helps calm the body and mind • Learn and do relaxation techniques such as taking slow deep breaths • Keep a positive attitude while preparing for the test as well as during the test

31. Test Taking Tips for Students Focus on the test question and don’t let your mind wonder on other things Eat a nutritious breakfast especially the day of the test Don’t be concern about other students finishing the test before you do Make sure you ask questions for clarification before the test Avoid last minute studying Reward yourself after the test Don’t be too anxious about the results of your test Do your very best

32. Remind your child to get plenty of rest before the test • Make sure your child has a nutritious breakfast the day of the test. • Try to stay away from breakfast meals high in sugar! • On the day of the test, send your child off to school with a special “Do-Your Best” hug • Ace the Testwith plenty of Rest Good luck with the STAR tests!