Professional Activities #22
March 18, 2013
Classroom Visitation Tool
Classroom Visitation Feedback Form
Teacher Team Meeting/Inquiry Work
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Updated Test Guides for ELA and Math
On March 6, 2013, NYSED released an important field memo on the implementation of the Common Core Learning Standards and the transition to Common Core assessments (see http://engageny.org/resource/field-memo-transition-to-common-core-assessments). This memo highlighted changes to be expected when we measure student progress on the Common Core standards and how these results relate to a range of accountability measures.
NYSED has updated the Test Guides for English Language Arts and Mathematics (see http://engageny.org/resource/test-guides-for-english-language-arts-and-mathematics) to reflect the information contained within the Field Memo. Each guide now includes a Foreword, which includes a summary of the information in the Field Memo, as well as other emphases and clarifications to bring the Test Guides into full alignment with the Field Memo.
Clarifications in the ELA Guides include:
+ An explanation that using authentic passages means that passages on the assessments may have been used previously in classrooms or for student personal reading;
+ An explanation that texts can be divided into different test passages that are appropriate for different grade levels;
+ Reiteration that multiple choice questions, including vocabulary questions, require comprehension of the entire passage; and
+ Reiteration that short-response questions require both a claim and evidence in support of that claim.
Clarifications in the Mathematics Guides include:
+ Emphasis that students will need to choose their own mathematics tools when responding to questions. Symbols, such as those found on past tests that signaled which tool should be used, will not be included on the 2013 Common Core test.
If you have questions about the 2013 Grade 3-8 Common Core English Language Arts and Math Tests, please contact the Office of State Assessment at emscassessinfo@mail.nysed.gov. If you have questions about the Common Core Learning Standards, please contact the Office of Curriculum and Instruction at emscurric@mail.nysed.gov.
NYSED has updated the Test Guides for English Language Arts and Mathematics (see http://engageny.org/resource/test-guides-for-english-language-arts-and-mathematics) to reflect the information contained within the Field Memo. Each guide now includes a Foreword, which includes a summary of the information in the Field Memo, as well as other emphases and clarifications to bring the Test Guides into full alignment with the Field Memo.
Clarifications in the ELA Guides include:
+ An explanation that using authentic passages means that passages on the assessments may have been used previously in classrooms or for student personal reading;
+ An explanation that texts can be divided into different test passages that are appropriate for different grade levels;
+ Reiteration that multiple choice questions, including vocabulary questions, require comprehension of the entire passage; and
+ Reiteration that short-response questions require both a claim and evidence in support of that claim.
Clarifications in the Mathematics Guides include:
+ Emphasis that students will need to choose their own mathematics tools when responding to questions. Symbols, such as those found on past tests that signaled which tool should be used, will not be included on the 2013 Common Core test.
If you have questions about the 2013 Grade 3-8 Common Core English Language Arts and Math Tests, please contact the Office of State Assessment at emscassessinfo@mail.nysed.gov. If you have questions about the Common Core Learning Standards, please contact the Office of Curriculum and Instruction at emscurric@mail.nysed.gov.