Testing at Harlem Link

Parent Information Session

March 1, 2012

Session Outcome

• Harlem Link has a plan for preparing children for the state tests, and we need parent participation.

The tests are important for a variety

of reasons.

• They are part of our mission. ▫ “…articulate scholars who meet or exceed New

York State performance standards…” • They are how we are judged as a school. • They play a role in admission to competitive

middle and high schools and special programs. • They are an opportunity for students to

demonstrate what they know.

So What is Harlem Link’s Plan?

A Simple Equation:

GOOD CURRICULUM +

SENSIBLE TEST PREPARATION

=

SUCCESS

Good Curriculum

• New York State standards based curriculum

• Teachers target skills that are covered on the tests

• Students are taught to tackle test questions within each unit of study

Sensible Test Preparation

• Tests are like games • Five testing strategies to “beat the test” • Teachers incorporate types of test questions into

lessons and homework. • Students take practice tests. • Incentives (for all students) and April break

practice time (for some students)

We have five testing strategies

• Read All About It: Set purpose and focus

• Slash the Trash: Eliminate bad answers

• Show Me: Prove our thinking and choices

• Check It Out: No silly mistakes allowed!

• Use the Clock: Help us pace ourselves

They have to use the strategies!

• On our last practice test, many scholars did NOT use the strategies.

• Most important:

▫ GO BACK TO THE TEXT TO PROVE YOUR ANSWERS (“Show Me”)

Preparation Reduces Anxiety • Anxiety is a Number One Test Score Killer

• If our scholars follow our testing strategies, they will do very well on the tests

• The more we know, the less we fear

• Parents can:

▫ Emphasize that the tests are important but only ONE way that we assess our scholars

▫ Remind scholars of their basic responsibilities

New York State has four Performance

Levels as the outcome of each test

Performance Level 4: “Exceeds Proficiency Standard”

Performance Level 3: “Meets Proficiency Standard”

Performance Level 2: “Meets Basic Standard”

Performance Level 1: “Below Standard”

There is widespread community

variation in testing achievement.

There is widespread community

variation in testing achievement.

Our goal for the 2012 test is 75%

passing in both ELA and Math.

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

90.0%

100.0%

Reading Math

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2012 Goals for State Tests

Passing (3+4)

Incentives include Gift Cards

• We have set test score targets for each scholar

• If a child meets his or her target…

▫ $50 Barnes and Noble gift card for ELA

▫ $50 Barnes and Noble gift card for Math

The tests are changing, and Harlem

Link is on top of those changes. • There are format changes in third and fifth

grade. ▫ The tests are longer. ▫ There is more “open ended” and written response.

• The tests are beginning to include the Common Core standards ▫ Harlem Link has begun working Common Core

into our curriculum. ▫ The tests will be completely based on Common

Core by 2013.

A sample 3rd grade state test Q.

A sample 4th grade reading question.

A sample 5th grade math question.

How can Parents Help?

• Some homework will reflect test structure and

skill; please help children with this homework.

• Praise your child and help your child to create a

positive mental attitude.

• Remind your child that it is important that

he/she do his/her best, and that we have been

practicing all year. They don’t have to get

EVERY question right, just do their best.

Test Taking Tips for Parents

• Make sure that your child is in school and on time during the testing sessions. Do not plan any doctor or dental appointments while school is in session (half days are opportunities for these).

• See that your child gets an ample amount of sleep and is well-rested.

• Make sure that your child eats a well-balanced dinner the night before and a well-balanced breakfast the day of the test. Hunger can inhibit test performance.

Testing Dates

New York State ELA 3rd-5th grades: April 17-19

New York State Math for 3rd-5th grades: April 25-27

Question and Answer time