Welcome Parents to the Welcome Parents to the MSA MSA

Parent Parent Informational NightInformational Night

Linda M. Jones CoxsonLinda M. Jones Coxson

C. Charmayne BrownC. Charmayne Brown

March 2, 2010March 2, 2010

MSA Calendar 2010MSA Calendar 2010MondayMonday TuesdayTuesday WednesdayWednesday ThursdayThursday FridayFriday

11 22 33 44 55

88

33rdrd and 4 and 4thth Grade Grade ReadingReading

99

33rdrd and 4 and 4thth Grade Grade ReadingReading

1010

5th 5th

Grade ReadingGrade Reading

1111

5th5th

Grade Grade ReadingReading

1212

33rdrd and 4 and 4thth Grade Grade

MathMath

1515

33rdrd and 4 and 4thth Grade MathGrade Math

1616

5th5th

Grade MathGrade Math

1717

5th5th

Grade MathGrade Math

1818

MSA Make MSA Make UpsUps

1919

MSA MSA Make UpsMake Ups

2222

MSA Make MSA Make UpsUps

2323

MSA Make MSA Make UpsUps

2424 2525 2626

2929 3030 3131

MSA Reading and MathematicsMSA Reading and MathematicsTesting MinutesTesting Minutes

MSAMSA

Content GradeContent Grade

Reading Grade 3Reading Grade 3

Reading Grade 4Reading Grade 4

Reading Grade 5Reading Grade 5

Math Grade 3Math Grade 3

Math Grade 4Math Grade 4

Math Grade 5Math Grade 5

TimeTime

Day1 Day 2Day1 Day 2

73 7273 72

72 7272 72

81 7281 72

86 5086 50

84 5184 51

101 45101 45

MSA Reading TestMSA Reading Test

The MSA Reading test has The MSA Reading test has five five sessions given over sessions given over twotwo days days

ThreeThree sessions will be administered sessions will be administered on Day 1on Day 1

TwoTwo sessions will be administered on sessions will be administered on Day 2Day 2

MSA Math TestMSA Math Test

The MSA Mathematics test has The MSA Mathematics test has five five sessions given over sessions given over twotwo days days

ThreeThree sessions will be administered sessions will be administered on Day 1on Day 1

TwoTwo sessions will be administered on sessions will be administered on Day 2Day 2

MSA 2010MSA 2010Test ContentTest Content

Reading ItemsReading Items

Selected ResponseSelected Response

(Multiple Choice)(Multiple Choice)

Brief Constructed ResponseBrief Constructed Response

(Short Answers)(Short Answers)

Mathematics ItemsMathematics Items

Selected ResponseSelected Response

(Multiple Choice)(Multiple Choice)

Brief Constructed ResponseBrief Constructed Response

(Short Answers)(Short Answers)

What is a Brief ConstructedWhat is a Brief ConstructedResponse (BCR)?Response (BCR)?

BCR’s demonstrate student’s thinking processBCR’s demonstrate student’s thinking process

Students provide short written answersStudents provide short written answers

Answers are written within a boxAnswers are written within a box

Reading responses are scored for reading Reading responses are scored for reading comprehension, not for writing or language usagecomprehension, not for writing or language usage

Math responses are scored for problem solving Math responses are scored for problem solving and being able to explain their answersand being able to explain their answers

Responses should be brief and to the pointResponses should be brief and to the point

Possible Proficiency LevelsPossible Proficiency Levels

Advanced

Proficient

Basic

ParentsParentsRemind your children not to do this:Remind your children not to do this:

Students Don’t

Make dark or stray marks near or

around their selected response

Choose more than one answer per each question

Write outside the square box when

answering the short answer

response

ParentsParentsRemind your children to do this:Remind your children to do this:

Students Do

This

Make your answers

dark and completelyfill in the bubble

Do your very best

Go back and check

your answers and reread

ParentsParentsHow can you help prepare your children?How can you help prepare your children?

Encourage your childto read every day. Talk to

your child about what he/she reads

Relate math to yourevery day life

Make school a priority

ParentsParentsHow can you help prepare your children for the How can you help prepare your children for the

test?test?

Help your child remain Help your child remain calmcalmEnsure your child goes to Ensure your child goes to bed early the night before bed early the night before the testthe testEnsure that your child eats Ensure that your child eats breakfast in the morningbreakfast in the morningReview test strategiesReview test strategiesEnsure that your child Ensure that your child arrives to school on time. arrives to school on time. The school bell rings at The school bell rings at 9:00 am9:00 amDo not schedule doctor’s Do not schedule doctor’s appointments during the appointments during the testing windowtesting window

ParentsParentsReinforce strategies your child is learning in schoolReinforce strategies your child is learning in school

Help your child:Help your child:Pay attention to key wordsPay attention to key wordsReread the questionsReread the questions

Refer to pictures, charts Refer to pictures, charts and graphsand graphs

Use process of eliminationUse process of elimination

Use mathematical termsUse mathematical terms

Use numbers, words, and Use numbers, words, and pictures to describe pictures to describe mathematical problem mathematical problem solvingsolving

Copy numbers correctly Copy numbers correctly and line up numbers and line up numbers carefully when solving carefully when solving math problemsmath problems

Restate the question when Restate the question when answering the BCR answering the BCR questionsquestions

Use information from the Use information from the text to support your text to support your answeranswer

On line ResourcesOn line Resources

www.mdk12.org

Click MSAClick MSA

Click What does MSA Look LikeClick What does MSA Look Like

Click Reading/Math Public Release Click Reading/Math Public Release ItemsItems

You can browse around!!!!!!!!!!!!You can browse around!!!!!!!!!!!!

Work Hard and

Dream Big!