WILLOUGHBY-EASTLAKE CITY SCHOOLS Teach Learn Grow 2015-2016 Ohio s State Tests Information for Students and Families Updated information provided by the Ohio Department of Education September 22, 2015
Giving All Students A High-Quality Education Ohio is moving this school year from PARCC as the vendor for the math and English Language Arts tests to tests that will be administered through the vendor American Institutes for Research (AIR). The AIR tests are Ohio-specific tests and were developed by Ohio educators with the vendor. Ohio s State Tests measure students progress toward Ohio s Learning Standards. State testing ensures that every student in Ohio participates in common assessments.
Why Do We Have Ohio s State Tests? Student Progress Student test results show whether children in every grade are building the knowledge and skills they need to stay on track for high school graduation The results give parents an idea of their children s learning progress Student Instruction Provides information about strengths and weaknesses in student s knowledge and skills to parents Teachers also use the results to guide instruction Student progress is shown in comparison to their classmates and their peers throughout the state
Given once towards the end of the year Provide scores that are the basis for the annual report card Focused on making sure students are on track for success in the next grade State Tests Shorter than assessments given last year Computer-Based Matched to Ohio s Learning Standards
Which Tests Will Your Grade 3 8 Student Take? Grades 3-8 Grades 4 and 6 English Language Arts and Math Social Studies Grades 5 and 8 Science
Third Grade Reading Test Third graders will have two opportunities to take the English Language Arts (ELA) test for the Third Grade Reading Guarantee. Fall testing will take place between December 7 December 11. Fall score report date to be determined. Spring testing will take place between April 4 April 29. Spring score reports available June 15. There will be a promotion score that will be used for the Third Grade Reading Guarantee requirement. This promotion score will be based on reading items only. More information on the promotion score will be forthcoming. Students who do not meet the cut score on the Third Grade Reading Test but score a 186 on MAP may be promoted to fourth grade.
High School: Classes of 2018 and Beyond English Language Arts I English Language Arts II Biology Physical Science (only for the class of 2018)* End-of- Course Exams Algebra I Geometry American History American Government Level Ohio Performance Level 5 Advanced 4 Accelerated 3 Proficient 2 Basic 1 Limited The classes of 2018 and 2019, this year s freshman and sophomores, will need to earn a total of 18 points on seven end-of-course state tests as one way to meet their graduation requirements. *The state changed the science test requirement effective with the 2015-2016 school year. See the What state science test should students be taking in 2015-2016? document via this link.
Middle School Students Taking High School Credit English Language Arts I Geometry End-of-Course Exams Algebra I These are the only three courses offered at the middle school for high school credit that require state end-of-course exams Level Ohio Performance Level 5 Advanced 4 Accelerated 3 Proficient 2 Basic 1 Limited The classes of 2018 and beyond will need to earn a total of 18 points on seven end-of-course state tests as one way to meet their graduation requirements.
High School: This Year s Juniors and Seniors Ohio Graduation Tests American Government American History The classes of 2016 and 2017, this year s juniors and seniors, will still take Ohio Graduation Tests to meet graduation requirements. They also will take Ohio s State Tests in American History and American Government if enrolled in those courses. The classes of 2016 and 2017 are not required to obtain graduation points from endof-course exams. The only state test required for graduation for them is the OGT.
Calculator Guidance The Ohio Department of Education has designated allowable calculators for specific tests and grade levels. Calculator Guidance for Grade 6-8 Mathematics Grade 6 and 7 tests will have both non-calculator and calculator sections on the test Grade 8 tests allow calculators usage for all test items Calculator Guidance for High School Mathematics Online testing platforms provide student access to online calculators ODE recommends graphing calculators for students who wish to use hand-held calculators for testing Calculator Guidance for High School Physical Science Tests Online testing platforms provide student access to online calculators ODE recommends scientific calculators for students who wish to use hand-held calculators for testing Grade 5 and 8 Science Tests No calculators are allowed on these tests
Willoughby-Eastlake Spring State Testing Schedule The state requires the district to chose 15 consecutive school days for spring testing windows for the AIR assessments. Your child will not be testing all 15 days. We will receive test results for grade 3 Reading by June 15 and for all other tests by June 30. Fall Retakes for High School End-of-Course Exams: December 1 17, 2015 Fall Third Grade ELA: December 7 11, 2015 (The state only allows a 5 day test window for this administration.) Spring ELA for Grades 3-8, English I and English II: April 7 27, 2016 Math, Science, Social Studies for Grades 3-8, Algebra I, Geometry, Physical Science, Biology, American Government, American History: April 18 May 6, 2016
Willoughby-Eastlake OGT Testing Schedule Students who will graduate in 2016 or 2017 follow the old graduation and testing requirements. These students must pass all five parts of the Ohio Graduation Test (OGT). Fall OGT 2015 Reading October 26 Mathematics October 27 Writing October 28 Science October 29 Social Studies October 30 Spring OGT 2016 Reading March 14 Mathematics March 15 Writing March 16 Science March 17 Social Studies March 18 Summer 2016 OGT Reading June 13 Mathematics June 14 Writing June 15 Science June 16 Social Studies June 17
Spring 2015 Test Results Projected Delivery Schedule Even though Ohio is switching this school year from PARCC to AIR, we will still receive student tests results from last year s PARCC tests along with Ohio s science and social studies assessments. November 2 November 30: AIR Parent Score Reports for science and social studies arrive at districts for distribution November 3 November 20: PARCC Parent Score Reports for high school students arrive at district offices for distribution November 30 January 9: Parent Score Reports for grades 3-8 math and English Language Arts tests arrive at district offices for distribution
What the 2015 Results Can Tell Us These preliminary state test results are the first that are based on tests that fully measure student performance under Ohio s Learning Standards, which aim to ensure that students in every tested grade are on track to succeed in college and careers. While the percentage of students scoring proficient or higher may be lower than the rates on Ohio s previous tests, this does not mean that the performance of our students or schools has declined. Instead, Ohio s Learning Standards have raised expectations of the knowledge and skills students should acquire in each grade to be truly college and career ready. While no single test can give a complete picture of achievement, Ohio s year-end tests, combined with student grades and teacher reports, give us important information aboutstudent progress that can improve our future instructional strategies and testing.
Testing Updates As updated information becomes available from the Ohio Department of Education, the district will share it via the district and building websites, calendars and newsletters.