Secondary PARCC Practice TestsInstructional Implications

Session Outcomes

Participants will:• Explore the design and content of sample

PARCC items in ELA and Mathematics.• Determine how the design and content of

the PARCC assessment will impact classroom instruction.

Questions

• Please feel free to ask questions at any time during the session.

• If we are unsure about the answer, we will put the question in the PARKING LOT and consult a MSDE representative.

http://msde.blackboard.comHome Screen

Click Maryland Professional Learning Resources

Click College and Career Readiness Conference

Scroll Down…

Click Session Information

Find Your Session

Who are we?

• MS Teachers• HS Teachers• Support Teachers – Special Education,

Enrichment, etc…• Principals/Assistant Principals• Central Office Staff• Other…

Assessment Tutorial

As you go through the tutorial, consider:• How does the tutorial address UDL?• How does the PARCC assessment differ

from MSA/HSA?• What tools might teachers have to show

students how to use?

PARCC Tutorial

At your own pace, go through the PARCC tutorial to familiarize

yourself with the available tools.

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

PARCC Tutorial Debrief

• How does the tutorial address UDL?• How does the PARCC assessment differ

from MSA/HSA?• What tools might teachers have to show

students how to use?

Types of Accessibility Features and Accommodations

15

Features for All Students

Accessibility Features*

Identified in advance

Accommodations**

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

16

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

Accommodations Link

http://www.parcconline.org/parcc-accessibility-features-and-accommodations-manual

For more information go to the website:

Purpose of the Practice Tests

Why would you use the practice tests as a part of instruction?

• Format• Types of Assessment Items• Message to Students• Professional Learning

MATHEMATICS

Thinking About Math

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

• Which mathematical practices would students apply to each test item to reach proficiency?

• What are the implications for instruction?• What kinds of instructional activities should be

implemented in the classroom before students take the PARCC assessment?

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?

Non-calculator Example #1

Non-calculator Example #2

Non-calculator Example #3

Calculator Example#1

Calculator Example #2

Time to Explore

• Now, take a look at the available math items in the practice tests for middle and/or high school.

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

PARCC for Mathematics

• What are the implications for instruction?• What kinds of instructional activities

should be implemented in the classroom before students take the PARCC assessment?

ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS

ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS

ELA PBA Format

• http://ccssparcc.wordpress.com/

PBA Simulation

The example we will look at is from the tenth 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 kinds of instructional activities should be implemented in the classroom before students take the PARCC assessment?

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.

PARCC for ELA

As you analyze the knowledge and skills required by these examples, what are the implications for instruction how do they differ from recent instructional practices?

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…

As you analyze the knowledge and skills

required by the EOY and PBA examples, what are the implications for instruction and how may it differ from

recent instructional practices?

Talk About…

• Now that we have identified three resources (the tutorial, sample items, and practice tests) and explored the PARCC website, how can you share this information with others at your school?

Thank you! Questions?